10 October 2024 — In response to the severe flooding and landslides in Nepal caused by heavy, continuous rains in late September, the Singapore Red Cross will launch a fundraising appeal to provide immediate humanitarian relief and support recovery efforts. SRC will also pledge an initial contribution of SGD 50,000 to support the ongoing relief operations led by the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS). Volunteers from the SRC are on standby to be deployed to Nepal to assist with recovery operations if the situation worsens. 

The floods have claimed the lives of more than 200, with many more injured or reported missing. More than 11,500 households across 16 districts have been affected, with many forced to live in open areas due to the severe or complete damage to their houses. The flood has also triggered landslides, and have blocked roads and highways into the Kathmandu Valley, hindering access to critical services. Debris clearing remains challenging due to the scale of disaster and lack of equipment, leading to concerns of possible waterborne disease outbreaks, such as cholera and dengue, and a price hike for essential commodities. 

The Nepal Red Cross Society has been active in responding to the disaster by coordinating efforts through its Emergency Operation Centre (EOC). Their efforts include relief distribution, restoration of access, search and rescue, and weather preparedness shelter solutions for affected communities. Prior to the floods, and following an advisory committee meeting with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), NRCS had activated its Simplified Early Action Protocol to support communities living in the western parts of the country, where floods were forecasted. Activities included informing local communities of the potential flooding and making evacuation preparations. Shelters were also arranged at pre-identified evacuation sites, and relief items and transportation were kept on standby. Additionally, hygiene kits were distributed and awareness messages on health, child protection and risk reduction were disseminated. These anticipatory actions supported an estimated 5,400 people to cope with the worst impact of the floods.