Nepal floods
On 18 August Nepal’s biggest river, the Koshi, breached its banks causing serious flooding. At least 70,000 people are thought to have been affected.
- 20,000 families lost their homes
- Drinking water and electricity supplies destroyed
- Crops damaged and livestock killed
More than 70,000 people are thought to have been displaced by the floods in Nepal where the worst affected areas are Sripur, Haripur, and Paschim Kusawa. Up to 75 per cent of people living in these areas are farmers who have lost their crops, livestock and means of making a living.
In pictures: flooding in Nepal
Oxfam has been working in the flood-prone Terai region of Nepal for a number of years and responded quickly to deploy an Initial Rapid Assessment team to the flood affected areas on 19 August.
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Large scale displacement
At least 70,000 women, men and children were affected when Nepal’s biggest river, the Koshi, broke through an embankment on 18 August after weeks of heavy monsoon rain.
About 20,000 families lost their homes as the floodwater destroyed drinking water and electricity supplies, wrecked schools and public buildings, damaged crops and local businesses, and killed livestock. At least six people were reported missing and feared dead.
The floods also affected up to a million people across the border in the Indian state of Bihar, some of whom crossed over to seek help in Nepal.
I was at the home with my three children when suddenly I could hear people outside screaming and shouting about the breaching of the embankment. I ran to my neighbour's house and stayed at on the roof for two days as the floodwater swept around us. Eventually, a helicopter rescued us. 
Soniya Devi Mukhiya, now staying in an Oxfam shelter
The Koshi embankment breach occurred in Nepal’s eastern district of Sunsari, forcing roughly half of those displaced to flee to the neighbouring district of Saptari. Oxfam has taken the lead in providing shelter and managing camps in Saptari, while also supporting co-ordination between humanitarian agencies and promoting health and hygiene among people made homeless by the flood.
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Oxfam's response
Based on our assessments and requests from district authorities, we have focused our response in Saptari District where an estimated 4,000 families (approximately 24,000 people) are in need of support. We have been working closely with our local partner, the Koshi Victim’s Society (KVS), which has many years of experience working in the area, and has been active in search and rescue operations and the provision of relief supplies.
In pictures: flooding in Nepal
Oxfam’s response has included working with KVS to provide shelter for victims of the floods. So far, more than 4,199 shelters have been constructed and tarpaulins, rope and plastic mats provided. 840 additional bamboo shelter frames have also been erected and covered with tarpaulin provided by the Nepal Red Cross.
19 camps have been established for people who lost their homes to the floods and Oxfam and KVS have been working closely to facilitate the development of camp committees. 50 per cent of members are female, and the committees are responsible for the day-to-day management of each camp, including co-ordinating relief support.
Our flood response has also included training volunteers to promote public health and hygiene within the camps. We have been working in partnership with UNICEF to provide essential items such as soap, hygiene kits, oral rehydration treatment, and water purification agents. More than 20 people have died due to diarrohea in the camps since the disaster ocurred, highlighting the need for public health promotion.
We continue to work closely with other relief organisations and government officials to improve co-ordination and raise awareness of humanitarian issues and gaps. Oxfam and KVS are currently leading the planning for winter support, and will soon begin discussions with the affected communities on recovery planning.
Update: November 2008
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