South Australia will contribute $200,000 towards humanitarian relief efforts in Nepal, as the scale of devastating floods and landslides continues to emerge.
The funding will be provided to UNICEF Australia to help deliver urgent assistance to children and families affected by the disaster, including emergency health care, lifesaving nutrition, safe drinking water and sanitation and hygiene supplies.
A catastrophic flash flood struck communities near the Nepal-Tibet border on Wednesday after a glacier collapse sent a torrent of water, ice, rock and debris through the region.
Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands remain missing, including dozens of Australians, while entire communities have been devastated.
Thousands of families have also been displaced after homes, roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure were destroyed.
Rescue teams continue to work across affected areas, including isolated communities that have become difficult to reach following the destruction.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said the disaster would also be deeply felt among South Australia’s Nepalese community.
“The scale of this disaster in Nepal is absolutely heartbreaking and the images we are seeing from the region are shocking. The sheer devastation is hard to comprehend,” Premier Malinauskas said.
“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.”
The State Government’s $200,000 contribution will support UNICEF’s work alongside the Government of Nepal and local partners, with children considered particularly vulnerable in the aftermath of the disaster.
UNICEF Australia CEO Tony Stuart said teams visiting flood-affected communities had encountered families who had lost their homes, livelihoods and loved ones.
“UNICEF teams visiting flood-affected communities met families left with nothing but the clothes they were wearing, sheltering in local schools after losing loved ones, their homes and livelihoods,” Mr Stuart said.
UNICEF estimates around 17,000 children have been affected by the floods and is already delivering supplies to some of the hardest-hit and most inaccessible communities.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Nadia Clancy said the scenes emerging from Nepal had been devastating for South Australians, particularly those with family and community connections to the country.
“Our hearts go out to all those affected, including our wonderful Nepalese community here in South Australia who are hurting,” Minister Clancy said.
“At times like this, it is important that people know they are not alone. We are thinking of you and we stand with you.”
The $200,000 contribution will be used to scale up UNICEF’s existing humanitarian response and provide essential supplies to vulnerable children and families.
