How AHF is supporting the Nepal flood response and recovery
What happened and the impact of a changing climate
On August 26, a catastrophic glacial collapse on Nepal’s Langtang Lirung mountain triggered a massive, deadly flash flood, sending rivers surging through mountain valleys. The sudden deluge destroyed homes, vital infrastructure and entire communities, leaving an estimated 1.6 million people across five districts displaced and in urgent need of humanitarian support.
Disasters of this scale underscore the growing climate vulnerability of the region. Considered the world’s Third Pole, the Himalayas are warming 50% to 100% faster than the global average, accelerating glacier melt and dramatically increasing the risk of deadly floods, avalanches and landslides.
How the Australian Himalayan Foundation is responding
The Australian Himalayan Foundation does not have active programs operating in the immediate flood-affected districts, and we confirmed early on that thankfully, all of our local Nepali NGO partners, staff and teams were safe and accounted for. One Heart Worldwide has been a key collaborator with the Australian Himalayan Foundation on our telehealth program in lower Solukhumbu. Specialists in maternal and newborn healthcare, they have been operating in two of the hardest-hit districts, Dhading and Nuwakot, for the past six years
AHF Founding Director Garry Weare was in Kathmandu when the floods struck, preparing for the upcoming AHF Himalayan Art Award exhibition and a scheduled trek in Ladakh. On August 27, Garry met with One Heart Worldwide Co-CEO Surya Bhatta.
Because they already know the local people, health systems, and terrain (and Surya himself grew up in Dhading), they were uniquely positioned to respond quickly and effectively. Leaning into their established healthcare network and deep community ties, the relief team loaded up emergency supplies and headed to Rasuwa and Nuwakot to distribute immediate aid and establish a path forward for long-term recovery.
Garry Weare meets with Surya Bhatta as the team packs emergency shelter tents for flood-affected families.
Emergency support through One Heart Worldwide
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters, the Australian Himalayan Foundation was the first organisation to commit funding to One Heart Worldwide’s response. Together, we are supporting a substantial part of One Heart Worldwide's response and recovery. Since August 29, field teams have been on the frontlines delivering critical relief:
Healthcare: Delivering emergency medical supplies, essential medicines and backup power systems to damaged health facilities
Essential supplies: Distributing food, water, emergency shelter tents, blankets, tarps and dignity kits to displaced families
Maternal & newborn care: Providing specialised clothing, warm blankets and hygiene supplies for pregnant women and new mothers
Mental health support: Offering immediate psychosocial first aid and trauma counselling to flood survivors
Recovery planning: Supporting government-led needs assessments and data management to prepare for rebuilding
Helping communities recover
As urgent emergency relief reaches those in need, the focus turns to the long road ahead - rebuilding damaged health facilities and restoring vital community services. Recovery after a catastrophe of this magnitude extends far beyond the initial emergency and continues long after the media attention fades. The Australian Himalayan Foundation’s support of One Heart Worldwide extends directly into these recovery priorities, ensuring that affected families are not left behind.
Thank you for your kindness and for standing in solidarity with the people of Nepal during this challenging time. If you haven’t donated yet and would like to, you can make a donation today.
100% of all flood-response donations go directly toward emergency relief and long-term recovery efforts.
