Social Ministry, NRCS to provide cash assistance to flood affected families

Kathmandu, Oct. 7

The Ministry of Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities and Social Security and the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) have signed an agreement to provide cash assistance to families affected by the Bhotekoshi flood under the Samunnati Programme.

The agreement was signed at the ministry in the presence of Minister Sita Badi on Wednesday. Acting Secretary of the ministry Chakra Bahadur Budha and NRCS Chairman Dr. Bishal Kumar Bhandari signed the agreement.

NRCS General Secretary Rishiram Khanal and head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in Nepal, David Fisher were also present on the occasion.

Under the agreement, the NRCS will provide cash assistance of Rs. 100,000 to each family affected by Bhotekoshi floods in 63 districts. The assistance is intended to address the immediate and priority needs of flood-affected families, ease their daily lives, and support their recovery and rehabilitation, the NRCS informed in a statement.

Data on affected people will be provided by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA).

An initial estimate puts the number of families affected by Bhotekoshi floods at around 6,000. "Beneficiaries will be identified based on the data received and necessary verification, and the funds will be deposited directly into the bank accounts of the respective beneficiaries," read the statement. This is intended to make the aid distribution process easier, transparent and effective.

Families can use the funds they receive in managing their priorities, including for food, clothing, health and sanitation, essential household items, transport, communication and livelihood-related needs.

According to the NRCS, priority will be given to flood-affected and particularly vulnerable women-headed households, persons with disabilities, children requiring special care, senior citizens, marginalised communities, gender and sexual minorities, and individuals and families with other special needs.

As per the agreement, the ministry will be responsible for policy guidance, programme monitoring and coordination. Likewise, the concerned local governments will support beneficiary identification and verification as well as local coordination, while the NRCS will assist with the distribution of cash and voucher assistance, community coordination, monitoring and accountability-related activities.

The ministry is implementing the Samunnati Programme as an inclusive programme aiming to support women, children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, gender and sexual minorities, marginalised and socially excluded groups, disaster-affected people, and other individuals and families with special needs and vulnerabilities.

 Published in The Rising Nepal on 8 October 2026.