Health Infrastructure Heavily Damaged in Nepal Flood Disaster
As the death toll from the flood disaster in Nepal reaches 469, WHO and IFRC officials have called for an urgent response to the damaged health infrastructure and the emerging risks of epidemic diseases in the region.
As the death toll from the severe flood disaster in Nepal has risen to 469, it has been reported that 6 health facilities in the region were damaged and 8 health workers are missing. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) warned of the increasing risk of epidemic diseases in the region and the humanitarian crisis in inaccessible areas.
Heavy Damage and Losses in Health Infrastructure
WHO official Jasarevic stated that the flood disaster has severely disrupted health services in Nepal. According to assessments, a total of six health facilities—four in Rasuwa and two in Dhading—were damaged, and eight health workers remain unaccounted for.
Health officials and partner organizations are continuing coordination efforts to maintain patient treatment, blood supply, first aid services, and emergency response capacity.
Risk of Epidemic Diseases and Emergency Medical Aid
It was stated that post-disaster displacements, overcrowded environments, and disruptions in water and sanitation infrastructure have increased the risk of infectious diseases. WHO is concerned about the spread of waterborne and foodborne diseases, as well as vector-borne diseases, diarrhea, and respiratory tract infections.
WHO is working in cooperation with the Nepalese government to strengthen disease surveillance and maintain essential health services. In this context, medical supplies to meet the three-month needs of approximately 10,000 people have been delivered to the region.
Inaccessible Regions and Infrastructure Problems
David Fisher, Head of the IFRC Nepal Delegation, reported that some of the most affected areas have not yet been reached due to the destruction of roads and bridges, and the disruption of electricity and telephone networks. The inability of humanitarian aid teams to access areas like Nuwakot makes it difficult to deliver aid to those in need.
It is estimated that thousands of homes in the region have been destroyed or damaged, and approximately 93,000 people have been affected by the disaster. While officials worry about an increase in the death toll, they emphasize that the priority is meeting basic needs and community recovery.