Jersey sends £200,000 to Nepal flood relief effort

Jersey is providing £200,000 in emergency funding to support relief operations in Nepal following last week’s devastating floods and landslides.

The funding, allocated through Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA), will be given to the British Red Cross, which is working alongside the Nepal Red Cross Society to deliver assistance to communities affected by the disaster.

More than 900 people are reported to have died, while around 4,000 remain missing, including 48 British nationals. Entire communities have been devastated, with roads and bridges swept away after a glacier collapse triggered a catastrophic landslide on Wednesday, 26 August.

The scale of the disaster has made it difficult for emergency teams to reach affected areas, with many access routes blocked by mud and debris.

Rescue teams are also working to reach around 900 workers believed to be trapped underground in flooded tunnels at a hydropower project.

Humanitarian agencies estimate that approximately 10,000 households are in urgent need of assistance. Many communities remain cut off, while continuing monsoon rainfall is raising fears of further flooding.

According to JOA, Jersey’s contribution will support the provision of clean and safe water, emergency shelter, psychosocial support and help with recovering livelihoods for people who have lost family members, homes and sources of income.

Deputy Carolyn Labey, Minister for International Development and Chair of the Jersey Overseas Aid Commission, said working through the Red Cross would help ensure support could reach those most affected quickly.

She said the organisation’s established local network would also help communities with longer-term recovery and resilience.

Deputy Labey also highlighted the longstanding links between Jersey and Nepal, pointing to Islanders’ involvement in community projects, support for organisations such as the Gurkha Welfare Trust and personal connections with Nepalese communities.

Following the disaster, Jersey’s Chief Minister said the Island stood in solidarity with the people of Nepal.

JOA said it would continue to monitor the situation and assess the latest information as the humanitarian response develops.