The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced today that "based on traditional friendship, solidarity, and mutual support between Vietnam and Nepal, the Party, State, and people of Vietnam decided to provide 300,000 USD in emergency humanitarian aid to help the government and people of Nepal overcome the consequences of the natural disaster."

This aid follows condolence messages sent by Vietnamese leaders on 27/8 to the leaders of China and Nepal, after a severe flash flood swept through the Tibet-Nepal border region on the morning of 26/8.

Collapsed houses stood isolated by the Trishuli River in Nuwakot district, Nepal, on 4/9, more than a week after the devastating flash flood. Photo: AFP

The floodwaters originated from an ice block collapsing from Langtang Lirung mountain in Nepal, which borders Tibet. The torrent swept away everything in its path, leaving long trails of mud and earth downstream in Nepal.

The disaster resulted in over 1,300 fatalities and more than 5,600 missing persons across both countries, with the majority in Nepal.

Dharma Raj Upreti, Director of Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, stated today that the government faces a massive reconstruction challenge. Officials will need to rebuild approximately 20,000 homes in the flood-devastated areas.

During the first four months of the recovery phase, the Nepalese government will need to mobilize approximately 52,6 million USD to reconstruct roads, erect temporary shelters, provide clean water, and restore electricity to residents.

The United Nations today appealed for 50 million USD in aid to support more than 84,000 people in Nepal affected by the catastrophe.

Thanh Tam