Sewa Releases $100,000 for Nepal Flood Relief

Sewa International USA has released $100,000 for flood relief in Nepal and raised more than $55,000 through its Nepal Flash Flood Relief fundraiser in 24 hours. Sewa International Nepal volunteers are supporting relief efforts in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading. It is also establishing a dedicated helpdesk for Americans reported missing or stranded in Nepal, alongside a missing-person tracking group with about 75 people registered to locate loved ones. The response follows August 26 flash floods that Sewa says killed 626 people, left at least 2,478 missing, and severely affected an estimated 93,000 people.

Emergency Supplies Mobilized

Sewa said the flooding followed a glacier collapse, avalanche, and landslide in northern Nepal. Floodwaters carried mud, rocks, and debris through Himalayan river valleys, destroying homes, roads, bridges, hydropower facilities, water systems, and communications networks.

Within 48 hours, the organization mobilized shelter, protective, food, medical, and rescue-support supplies. These included 300 heavy-duty 12-by-15-foot tarpaulins, foam mattresses, raincoats, ponchos, floating foam, water bottles, ration kits, cookies, and volunteer jackets, plus paracetamol and about 5,000 packets of oral rehydration solution.

Vinayak Astekar, Associate Director for Disaster Response at Sewa, said:

“Sewa's immediate priority is to help families who have lost their homes, are stranded, and face hunger, cold, and health emergencies. We are working with Sewa International Bharat (India), sister organizations, and community partners to mobilize essential supplies, daily necessities, and volunteers.”

Search and Family Support

Sewa is establishing a dedicated helpdesk to collect and share information about Americans reported missing or stranded in Nepal, coordinating with families and community members. It said a few Sewa International USA volunteers who were at the Nepal-Tibet border when the disaster occurred remain missing.

Sewa is collaborating with the San Antonio Nepali Association, Nepali community partners in North Carolina, Aum Ashram San Antonio, Hindus of Greater Houston, and its wider network. The missing-person tracking group plans to publish daily updates.

Sewa volunteers distributed emergency relief supplies.

Relief and Recovery Work

Sewa Nepal volunteers are transporting relief materials to affected communities and supporting local distribution and relief coordination. The organization reported that more than 3,700 people have been rescued, while 777 foreign nationals are among those missing.

Srikanth Gundavarapu, President of Sewa International USA, said:

“Sewa Nepal volunteers are actively supporting the ground response by transporting relief materials to affected communities and assisting with local distribution and relief coordination. Sewa stands with the people of Nepal and is committed to continuing relief work and taking up recovery and rebuilding efforts.”

Donations for the organization’s Nepal Flash Flood Relief effort are being accepted online.