Displaced people in the remote regions of western Nepal say urgently needed medical help and food aid is not reaching them, as flooding and landslides continue to make their position more precarious, writes UN news service,IRINnews, Tuesday.
Flash floods caused by monsoon rains last week led to flooding that killed at least 50 people in western Nepal. Tens of thousands have been left homeless and food stocks were destroyed in the Bardiya, Banke and Achham districts about 800 km west of the capital, Kathmandu, according to the Nepal Red Cross.
The government estimates that the flooding has affected nearly 50,000 people, killed nearly 2,000 animals and destroyed more than 10,000 tonnes of food.
Nepal has sought international help worth US $3.58 million to provide emergency relief. But some victims say that the government’s reach has not extended to the most remote areas.
On Monday, hundreds of villages blockaded Bardiya’s main road to draw attention to their need for more food and medical relief.
Government health officials counter that the situation is under control and there is no health emergency for the moment.
Bardiya’s District Health Office (DHO) this week conducted a health survey that found flood victims were suffering from flood injuries, malaria, fever, scabies and diarrhea – but fell short of an epidemic, it said.
