Catastrophic flood in Nepal. We appeal for help.

Polish Red Cross launches a fundraising campaign to help Nepal. On August 26, a devastating flood swept through the northern part of the country.

At least 157 victims and hundreds missing, including tourists from many countries; entire villages, markets, and infrastructure destroyed; many areas still cut off from assistance - this is the toll of the catastrophic flood that occurred in Nepal, near the border with China.

The flood was likely caused by the overflow of a glacial lake. A massive amount of water, mud, and debris rapidly rushed down the valley. At one point, the water level in the Trishuli River was reported to have risen by about 9 meters within half an hour.

The most severe damage was reported in the districts of Rasuwa and Nuwakot. Houses, roads, bridges, hydropower plants, and other critical infrastructure have been severely damaged. Many bridges have been swept away, and major roads blocked, making it significantly difficult to reach the most affected communities, especially in Rasuwa. These constraints hinder rescue services from assessing the full scale of the disaster and providing assistance to those in need.

Teams from the Nepal Red Cross have been sent to the affected areas, and additional rescue teams and volunteers are being mobilized to support local branches with limited response capabilities.

Initial assistance includes the distribution of drinking water and essential items, including tarpaulins, blankets, sleeping mats, first aid kits, stretchers, and body bags.

Humanitarian priorities include organizing temporary shelters, first response, and medical support, as well as restoring access to isolated communities. Rapid assessments are being prepared to determine the scale of needs and outline the next steps of action.

With the receding floodwaters and enabling access to currently inaccessible areas, the picture of the disaster's aftermath will become clearer. The situation remains very dynamic.

The Polish Red Cross calls for help for those affected by the disaster. Every zloty will help the victims of the catastrophe and support the rebuilding of devastated communities.