Nearly Three Weeks After Nepal Floods, 70 Americans Remain Unaccounted For
A Nepal Army soldier searches through mud for a body following devastating floods and landslides in Nepal. Photo: Nepali Army
Nearly three weeks after catastrophic flash floods struck Nepal, about 70 Americans remain unaccounted for in the Nepal-China border region, a State Department spokesperson told NepYork on Tuesday. The United States has expanded its response, providing additional forensic assistance, food and logistics support and equipment for search-and-rescue operations as authorities struggle to reach isolated areas.
As of noon Eastern time on Sept. 14, 18 Americans had made their way to safety, according to the State Department. The department cautioned that the figures could change as officials continue efforts to locate, account for and assist U.S. citizens and their families.
“The safety of Americans in the affected area remains our highest priority,” the spokesperson said. “Despite the significant operational challenges, we are using every available means to locate, account for and assist U.S. citizens and their families.”
Forensic Aid to Identify Flood Victims
On Sept. 12, the United States approved an additional $1 million to support Nepal Police in identifying victims of the floods, bringing the total value of U.S. humanitarian, health and forensic assistance following the disaster to more than $5 million, the State Department said.
The new funding, approved through the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, will provide forensic support to Nepal Police, including DNA analysis kits and other priority supplies needed for disaster victim identification.
FBI forensic specialists are also working with Nepal Police to identify victims and provide specialized disaster victim identification assistance, according to the State Department.
“The conditions responders are operating in within Nepal are extraordinarily difficult,” the spokesperson said. “This disaster destroyed roads, bridges, entire villages, and, in some areas, completely altered the landscape — some previously inhabited places are covered by displaced soil and rocks several feet deep.”
Difficult terrain and damaged infrastructure have slowed search, rescue and relief operations in remote parts of Nepal, particularly near the border with China.
Broader U.S. Relief Effort
The new forensic funding is part of a broader U.S. response that includes $3 million in food and logistics assistance through the World Food Program. The funding is expected to provide up to three months of emergency food supplies to 10,000 flood-affected households and help overcome supply-chain barriers through air and ground transportation to isolated communities.
The United States has also provided $685,000 through Catholic Relief Services for food, shelter, water, sanitation, hygiene, protection and cash assistance. The aid includes food and shelter supplies, blankets, plastic sheeting, tents, solar lights and dignity kits. Catholic Relief Services is also operating child-friendly spaces for children affected by the floods, according to the State Department.
Another $365,000 has been allocated for health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene programs through Jhpiego, FHI 360 and UNICEF.
The U.S. military has delivered 5,000 specialized disaster victim recovery supplies, 500 first-aid kits, stretchers and front-end loaders to support Nepal-led search, rescue and recovery operations. A four-member U.S. military civil affairs team is also in Nepal to help address humanitarian needs following the disaster.
A Drone for Remote Flood Zones
In another newly announced measure, the U.S. Embassy in Nepal provided the Armed Police Force with a U.S.-made Freefly Alta X Gen2 commercial cargo drone to help deliver critical supplies to isolated communities affected by the floods.
In a Monday social media post, the U.S. Embassy in Nepal said Deputy Chief of Mission Scott Urbom, Public Affairs Chief Mike Harker and Regional Security Officer Wil Vaughn joined the Armed Police Force, Nepal and Seven Summit Treks for the handover of the drone.
The embassy said the Armed Police Force will use the aircraft to deliver critical supplies to remote, flood-affected communities where difficult terrain limits access.
Seven Summit Treks had previously tested the drone on Ama Dablam as part of the embassy’s Ascent Summit, successfully carrying oxygen cylinders and mountaineering equipment between high camps under extreme conditions, according to the embassy. The high-altitude test in the Everest region demonstrated a potential use for the technology in some of Nepal’s most difficult terrain.
The drone handover is part of broader U.S. support for Nepal’s flood response, including humanitarian, logistical, forensic, consular and other technical assistance for affected communities and families.
“The United States continues to extend our deepest sympathy to all those affected by the flooding in Nepal and their families,” the State Department said. The department said it would continue coordinating with the Nepal government and local partners as conditions evolve.
“However, this is a rapidly evolving operation, and we are working closely with our local partners on the ground to adapt to conditions as they change,” the spokesperson said.
The United States remains prepared to provide additional assistance based on Nepal’s needs, the State Department said.
The department has posted updates and resources for affected Americans and their families on its Nepal Flash Floods Information webpage.