US announces USD 3.6 million aid as Nepal flood toll crosses 700

Kathmandu,UPDATED: Aug 30, 2026 13:02 IST

The United States has announced humanitarian assistance worth more than USD 3.6 million for people affected by the devastating floods in Nepal, including up to three months of emergency food support for up to 10,000 households. The announcement came as the death toll from the disaster crossed 700 on Sunday, with nearly 2,500 people still missing.

The US Embassy in Kathmandu said it was working with the Nepal government and humanitarian organisations to ensure aid reaches affected communities after the floods struck on Wednesday. The embassy had earlier said it had begun delivering supplies requested by the Nepal government to flood-hit areas.

"There is no higher priority for us than the safety of American citizens. Our embassies in Nepal and China are working closely to assist Americans and support disaster relief efforts," the embassy said in a post on X. "The United States is standing with the people of Nepal by providing more than USD 3.6 million worth of life-saving humanitarian assistance, including up to three months of emergency food assistance to up to 10,000 flood-affected households," it said.

According to the embassy, US Charge d'Affaires Scott Urbom sent the first shipment of emergency supplies from the US to Nepal on August 28. On Thursday, the embassy said it had started delivering supplies sought by the Nepal government to communities affected by the floods.

The embassy said Catholic Relief Services, working through its implementing partner Caritas Nepal, delivered more than 2.5 tonnes of food supplies, 500 blankets, 500 mosquito nets and 500 insulating foam sheets for temporary shelter flooring to two schools in Rasuwa. It added that it was coordinating with the Nepal government, Catholic Relief Services and Caritas Nepal to prepare and send further shipments based on the country's needs. The US State Department had on August 26 announced an initial USD 500,000 in assistance through its global award with Catholic Relief Services for emergency shelter, relief items and water, sanitation and hygiene support, and said it was deploying a disaster response adviser to the region.

Officials said bodies had been recovered from all eight affected districts as rescue teams continued to search for missing people and reach those stranded. The disaster was triggered when an ice-rock avalanche following a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border sent water, mud and debris downstream, wiping out towns and villages, damaging roads and bridges, and washing away hydropower infrastructure across central Nepal, while international relief efforts including US assistance continued.

With PTI Inputs

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