“Working with our local partners, we will provide emergency shelter and essentials such as blankets and mattresses to people in Rasuwa and Nuwakot, the worst-affected districts,” Islamic Relief said.

As more information emerges, Islamic Relief stands ready to scale up assistance further as needed.

The appeal launches one day after devastating flash floods tore along Nepal’s northern border.

Homes, bridges and markets were swept away in seconds by what eyewitnesses describe as a 30-metre (100 foot) wall of water and debris.

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At least 359 deaths have been confirmed – a number which is expected to rise as search and rescue efforts continue and with more than 1,000 people still missing.

“Torrents of water swept through villages without any warning and families lost everything within just a few seconds. The floods were so powerful they even tore through a major bridge and damaged villages high up in the mountains,” Golam Motasim Billah, Islamic Relief’s country director in Nepal, says.

“Survivors are desperately trying to trace their missing loved ones, while at the same time trying to find a safe place for their families to shelter and get food for their children. Power supplies have been badly damaged, plunging areas into darkness.

“Our prayers are with everyone affected and we are working with authorities on the ground to get aid to people as quickly as possible. 

“People urgently need aid such as shelter, ready-to-eat food, safe drinking water, and hygiene kits to stop diseases spreading. As well as the immediate loss of life, people’s livelihoods have been washed away. Communities will need long term support to recover.” 

Islamic Relief has been working in Nepal for over a decade after first responding to the 2015 Gorkha earthquake, and has a strong network of partnerships with local organizations in the country.

"Tens of thousands of people have been left with nothing. Please help us to ease their suffering and provide lifesaving support following this devastating disaster now," Islamic Relief said. 

Source: islamic-relief.org