Nepal declines foreign rescue aid despite 90,000 affected by landslide

A devastating Himalayan landslide has affected an estimated 93,000 people who urgently require humanitarian assistance, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reported. Aid officials expressed grave concerns about secondary flooding and ongoing "cascading hazards."

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We believe that at least 93,000 people have been affected and are in great need.

The flood tore through areas near the Chinese border, including Rasuwa district, leveling towns, damaging hydropower projects, and resulting in nearly 500 deaths. Hundreds of foreign nationals remain missing.

Despite offers of help from India, China, the United States, Britain, Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, Nepal's foreign ministry stated it does not need foreign assistance for search-and-rescue operations. Lok Bahadur Chhetri, spokesperson for the ministry, said that Nepal's security agencies are managing the operations.

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We're of course very concerned about the secondary flood.

Relief supplies were temporarily halted as a lake formed by the landslide breached its banks, further complicating rescue efforts. The United Nations warned that the disaster is still unfolding in some ways, and the World Health Organization reported that six health facilities were damaged, with eight healthcare workers missing.

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In a sense, the disaster is not yet completely over. It is still unfolding in some ways.

Concerns are high regarding the potential for infectious diseases, including diarrhea and respiratory illnesses, due to displacement, overcrowding, and disruptions to water, sanitation, and health services following the disaster.

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The offer for help is natural. Our security agencies are doing the search and rescue operation. For now we don’t require such help.