The full extent of the flash flood that struck northern Nepal on August 26, 2026, remains unclear. Beyond the immense human tragedy, countless villages have been swept away or buried under mudslides that subsequently hardened like concrete. Access to the popular Langtang trekking region has been severely affected—once again, just as it was after the 2015 earthquake. The same applies to the Nepalese route to the sacred Mount Kailash, as many pilgrims use the very border crossing between Nepal and Tibet that was completely destroyed by the flood. The deluge effectively cut Nepal in two from north to south. Countless bridges have been destroyed, including critical transport arteries leading to the west; consequently, overland connections west of Kathmandu are currently almost entirely severed. Furthermore, more than 10% of Nepal’s hydroelectric power infrastructure has been destroyed.
We would therefore like to launch a fundraising appeal and ask for donations with the reference “Flash Flood Nepal”.
The Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund, administered by the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, is the government’s official mechanism for channeling relief and rehabilitation funds to affected families. By law, the fund can only be used for rescue, treatment, relief, rehabilitation and infrastructure restoration — but not for administrative costs — and its accounts are audited annually.
After consulting with Nepalese friends, I can assure you that the fund is entirely reputable. Furthermore, as the association “Friends of Chepel e.V.,” we maintain close contact with other NGOs and local Rotary Clubs to ensure that donated funds are forwarded to the disaster relief fund in a coordinated manner.
