$200,000 pledged for Nepal flood relief

The South Australian Government will provide $200,000 to UNICEF Australia to support humanitarian relief efforts following devastating floods and landslides in Nepal that have killed hundreds of people and left thousands missing.

The funding will assist UNICEF’s work with the Government of Nepal and local partners, with support focused on children and families affected by the disaster.

A flash flood struck communities near the Nepal-Tibet border after a glacier collapse sent water, ice, rock and debris through the region. Homes, roads, bridges and other infrastructure have been destroyed, while rescue teams continue efforts to reach isolated communities and locate people who remain missing.

The disaster has also affected Australians travelling in the region, with dozens reported missing following the floods.

South Australia’s contribution will help provide emergency health care, nutrition support, safe drinking water, and sanitation and hygiene supplies to affected communities.

Children face particular risks following major disasters when access to food, clean water, shelter and medical care is disrupted. UNICEF said its teams are working with Nepalese authorities to deliver essential supplies and support families in some of the hardest-hit areas.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said the disaster would be deeply felt by the state’s Nepalese community.

“South Australia has a proud and close-knit Nepalese community, and I know this tragedy will be felt deeply by many people across our state,” Malinauskas said.

“Our Government will provide $200,000 to UNICEF Australia to support its humanitarian response and help deliver urgently needed assistance to children and families.”

Multicultural Affairs Minister Nadia Clancy said the scenes emerging from Nepal had left many South Australians shocked and saddened.

“The Government’s financial contribution will provide practical, lifesaving assistance to children and families who have lost so much,” Clancy said.

UNICEF Australia chief executive Tony Stuart thanked the South Australian Government for the contribution, saying it would help provide essential supplies including safe water, hygiene kits, medical supplies for babies and nutrition support.

UNICEF estimates that about 17,000 children have been affected by the floods. Its teams have reported meeting families who lost their homes and livelihoods and are sheltering in schools after being displaced by the disaster.

Stuart said UNICEF was already working with the Government of Nepal to deliver supplies to communities that remain difficult to reach.

The South Australian Government said its funding would help expand those efforts and provide assistance to vulnerable children and families as the humanitarian response continues.