Kathmandu, Aug. 26
India, China and the World Bank have moved
swiftly to coordinate financial assistance for the rescue, relief and
reconstruction of flood-affected areas in disaster-hit Nepal, according to the
Ministry of Finance (MoF).
Soon after news of the flooding emerged on
Wednesday morning, David Sislen, the World Bank’s Country Director for Nepal,
informed Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle that up to Rs. 25 billion could be
mobilised from various sources as emergency assistance.
In the evening, India dispatched 10 tonnes of Humanitarian
Assistance and Disaster Relief and essential medicines to support Nepal’s
response to the devastating floods. In the face of this challenge, India stands
with Nepal and its people, India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar
said in his post on X.
In response, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said, “India’s swift
response reflects the strength of our bilateral partnership and mutual
solidarity in this difficult hour.”
India has asked the government to provide a
list of relief materials urgently required for flood victims. FM Khanal, while
coordinating with the Prime Minister, Finance Minister and other senior
ministers, said preparations were under way to bring Indian relief supplies to Nepal.
Likewise, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to PM Balendra
Shah and conveyed condolences on the loss of lives due to the floods.
"The people of India stand in solidarity with their sisters and
brothers in Nepal at this difficult time. India is ready to provide all
possible humanitarian assistance to Nepal. Our teams are coordinating closely
on rescue and relief efforts," PM Modi wrote in his post on X.
Similarly, China has also decided to
provide immediate cash assistance. Chinese Ambassador Zhang Maoming has asked
the Nepal government, through the Finance Ministry, to initiate the process for
transferring the funds.
Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered
authorities to use their full capacity to search for and rescue people missing
after floods and landslides in the Nepal-China border area, according to
Xinhua.
It said that the floods and landslides have
damaged the Kerung border area in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region. Reports also
say the Chinese port area near the border suffered major damage and loss of
property and people.
Expressing the government’s gratitude for
the generous commitments of assistance from neighbouring countries and
development partners, FM Dr. Wagle is coordinating with the relevant government
agencies and holding discussions on the modalities for receiving and utilising
the assistance.
The way has been cleared for mobilising
both domestic and international assistance after today’s Cabinet meeting
declared the affected municipalities in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading 'disaster
crisis areas'.
Likewise, the Embassy of the USA and the Embassy
of Pakistan in Kathamndu, through separate messages, expressed their sorrow and
condolences to the families and people who lost their lives in the disaster.
Published in The Rising Nepal on 27 August 2026.
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