Jersey sends £200k to Nepal for flood relief effort

Tuesday, 1 September 2026 07:00

Jersey is sending £200,000 to Nepal, to help in the aid effort following last week's devastating floods.

The emergency funding has been allocated to the British Red Cross which is working in partnership with the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS).

More than 900 people are known to have died, around 4,000 are missing - including 48 British nationals - and whole communities, roads and bridges were swept away when a glacier collapsed, triggering a catastrophic landslide last Wednesday (26 August).

The humanitarian aid effort is being hampered by access routes being blocked by mud and debris.

Rescuers are trying to recover 900 workers trapped underground within swamped hydropower project tunnels.

Agencies estimate 10,000 households need immediate aid. Many are completely cut off, while monsoon rains threaten secondary flooding.

Jersey Overseas Aid says the £200,000 grant will help provide safe water, emergency shelter and psychosocial support and livelihood recovery for those who have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods.

Deputy Carolyn Labey, Minister for International Development and Chair of the Jersey Overseas Aid Commission, said:

" By working through the Red Cross, an established and trusted local organisation with extensive community reach, we can help ensure assistance reaches those most affected quickly and effectively while supporting longer-term recovery and resilience.

“Nepal is a country with which Jersey shares longstanding ties. Over many years, Islanders have travelled to Nepal through JOA’s community work projects, supported organisations working in the country, including the Gurkha Welfare Trust, and built strong personal connections with Nepalese communities."

In the immediate aftermath of the floods, Jersey's Chief Minister said the island stands in solidarity with the people of Nepal.

The JOA says it will monitor the situation closely and review the latest information from its partners.