×

News publications and other organizations are encouraged to reuse Direct Relief-published content for free under a Creative Commons License (Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International), given the republisher complies with the requirements identified below.

When republishing:

  • Include a byline with the reporter’s name and Direct Relief in the following format: "Author Name, Direct Relief." If attribution in that format is not possible, include the following language at the top of the story: "This story was originally published by Direct Relief."
  • If publishing online, please link to the original URL of the story.
  • Maintain any tagline at the bottom of the story.
  • With Direct Relief's permission, news publications can make changes such as localizing the content for a particular area, using a different headline, or shortening story text. To confirm edits are acceptable, please check with Direct Relief by clicking this link.
  • If new content is added to the original story — for example, a comment from a local official — a note with language to the effect of the following must be included: "Additional reporting by [reporter and organization]."
  • If republished stories are shared on social media, Direct Relief appreciates being tagged in the posts:
    • Twitter (@DirectRelief)
    • Facebook (@DirectRelief)
    • Instagram (@DirectRelief)

Republishing Images:

Unless stated otherwise, images shot by Direct Relief may be republished for non-commercial purposes with proper attribution, given the republisher complies with the requirements identified below.

  • Maintain correct caption information.
  • Credit the photographer and Direct Relief in the caption. For example: "First and Last Name / Direct Relief."
  • Do not digitally alter images.

Direct Relief often contracts with freelance photographers who usually, but not always, allow their work to be published by Direct Relief’s media partners. Contact Direct Relief for permission to use images in which Direct Relief is not credited in the caption by clicking here.

Other Requirements:

  • Do not state or imply that donations to any third-party organization support Direct Relief's work.
  • Republishers may not sell Direct Relief's content.
  • Direct Relief's work is prohibited from populating web pages designed to improve rankings on search engines or solely to gain revenue from network-based advertisements.
  • Advance permission is required to translate Direct Relief's stories into a language different from the original language of publication. To inquire, contact us here.
  • If Direct Relief requests a change to or removal of republished Direct Relief content from a site or on-air, the republisher must comply.

For any additional questions about republishing Direct Relief content, please email the team here.

Nepal Flash Floods: Medical Aid Teams Reach Evacuees in Remote Areas Amid Rising Toll

With more than 25 miles of roads destroyed in northern Nepal from recent floods and debris flows, first responders are deploying to remote areas to provide care.

News

Nepal Floods 2026

Direct Relief is supporting response efforts after catastrophic flash flooding struck Nepal on August 26, 2026, including support to medical teams deploying to flood-affected communities. Photos seen here show Dhulikhel Hospital staff in the field treating patients with Direct Relief emergency medical backpacks that were pre-positioned in Nepal before the flooding.
Direct Relief is supporting response efforts after catastrophic flash flooding struck Nepal on August 26, 2026, including support to medical teams deploying to flood-affected communities. Dhulikhel Hospital staff are pictured here on August 28, 2026, with Direct Relief emergency medical backpacks that were pre-positioned in Nepal before the flooding. (Photo courtesy of Dhulikhel Hospital)
By Lara Cooper

Medical outreach teams are treating evacuated patients, including those sheltering in Nepal Army barracks, as part of an effort to bring care to communities in remote mountainous areas of Nepal where roads and bridges have been washed out for miles. The August 25 flash floods and debris flow swept through areas of northern Nepal and southern Tibet, killing at least 538 people.

Teams from Dhulikhel Hospital reached evacuees with patient care, as did Mountain Heart Nepal, a medical aid group that specializes in medical outreach to the Himalayan foothills.

Evacuees receive care in Syabubresi, Nepal, from Dhulikhel Hospital staff on August 28, 2026. The village was one of the worst impacted by recent floods
Evacuees receive care in Syabubresi, Nepal, from Dhulikhel Hospital staff on August 28, 2026. The village was one of the worst impacted by recent floods. (Photo by Dhulikhel Hospital)

Rescue operations are continuing, and more than 1,900 people are still missing, a number that doubled in recent hours. Among the missing are people from Nepal and more than a dozen countries. More than 90 Americans remain missing in the region, the U.S. State Department announced Friday.

More than 3,700 people have been rescued, and Dhulikhel Hospital and Mountain Heart Nepal are providing care to evacuees.

Both organizations are equipped with Direct Relief-provided field medic packs, which contain medical essentials for first responders providing care outside of clinic walls. Both groups had medical aid from Direct Relief pre-positioned in-country and were able to deploy quickly.

Long-Term Health Risks Escalate as Direct Relief Scales Up Response

Direct Relief is preparing a large shipment of medical support to Dhulikhel Hospital, Mountain Heart Nepal, and other organizations. The medical aid includes medications for chronic disease management, including diabetes and COPD, wound care supplies, and other requested supplies

Direct Relief is also providing Mountain Heart Nepal with emergency operating funds to support their immediate work of bringing medical services to areas cut off from care.

At least 25 miles of roads were washed out or destroyed by the influx of floodwaters and mud, according to Nepal’s Department of Roads. This has left at least 250,000 people stranded in remote areas with little access to basic needs.

Dhulikhel Hospital staff unpack medical essentials for patient care during medical outreach in Nepal.
Dhulikhel Hospital staff unpack medical essentials for patient care during medical outreach in Nepal. (Courtesy of Dhulikhel Hospital)

“There has been significant damage across all infrastructure,” according to Dustin Shiau, Direct Relief’s Emergency Response Manager for Asia Pacific, on an emergency briefing call on Friday.

“Access is and will remain the major challenge,” he said, given the damage to transportation routes that were already extremely limited in the mountainous area.

Needs around emergency health are expected to climb, as lack of clean water, hygiene and sanitation, and mass displacement contribute to immediate medical needs.

Direct Relief maintains an extensive inventory of medications and supplies commonly requested after disasters, including essential medications, surgical supplies, water purification equipment, personal protective gear, and more. The organization is coordinating with multiple disaster response organizations in the country, including nonprofit organizations, hospital systems, and the country’s Ministry of Health.

Direct Relief has a long history of support for Nepal, including during the country’s devastating 2015 earthquake, which killed 9,000 people and caused massive damage to infrastructure, including health services.

Since 2009, the organization has provided more than $119 million in medical aid to Nepal across 48 partner organizations, 206 shipments, 638,000 lbs. of aid, and 34.9 million defined daily doses of medicine — including a $287,000 shipment of diabetes and cancer medications delivered this month, before the flood struck.

Nepal-Tibet Flash Flood 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened in the Nepal-Tibet flash flood?

A catastrophic flash flood swept through border areas of Nepal and the Chinese territory of Tibet, likely triggered by an ice avalanche from a breaking glacier. Infrastructure in and around the Bhatekoshi River, including bridges and buildings, was swept away. Rescue operations are ongoing, and figures on those killed and missing are still being confirmed by authorities.

What caused the flood?

The flooding may have been triggered by an ice avalanche from a breaking glacier above the Bhatekoshi River, sending a surge of water, mud and debris downstream into populated areas.

What medical needs are expected after the flood?

Health needs are expected to rise as rescues continue. Providers will likely need to administer trauma and wound care, surgery, blood products and antibiotics, along with resources for emergency medical teams and first responders working in the affected region.

What is Direct Relief doing in response?

Direct Relief is mobilizing support around potential medical needs and communicating with partner organizations in the region. It has shared a list of available medical inventory with Nepal’s Ministry of Health and with nonprofit organizations in the country, including Mountain Heart Nepal, which connects medical care and outreach to Nepal’s hard-to-access areas.

What is Direct Relief’s history of support in Nepal?

Direct Relief has supported health needs in Nepal since 2009, providing more than $119 million in medical aid to the country. This includes support during Nepal’s devastating 2015 earthquake, which killed 9,000 people and caused massive damage to infrastructure, including health services.

Filed Under: , , , , , , ,

Giving is Good Medicine

You don't have to donate. That's why it's so extraordinary if you do.

Hear From Direct Relief

Get stories, emergency updates, and humanitarian impact delivered to your inbox.