The Koshi River, with one of the largest river basins in Asia, breached its eastern embankment on 18 August, inundating four Village Development Committees (VDCs) in the district of Sunsari (Shreeharipur, Shreepurjavdi, Kusahapaschim, and Lokahi). The disaster also led to extensive flooding and the displacement of several million people in Bihar, south of Nepal's border with India. The force of the water led to 80% of the river changing its course, rendering parts of the flooded areas completely inaccessible.

The flooding severely impacted upon an already vulnerable population. The Government has estimated that between 70,000 and 100,000 people are affected, with extensive displacement (at least 40,000) from the flood-affected areas into neighbouring VDCs in both Sunsari and Saptari districts. The total number affected and displaced by the floods has been difficult to verify, as (a) population movement has been quite fluid; (b) a large number of Indians from Bihar crossed the border to the nearest high ground; (c) information on the original population of the flood-affected VDCs is outdated; and (d) many displaced are staying with host families rather than recognised shelter sites.

Response has been complicated due to lack of definitive figures of those displaced and affected, as well as the fluidity of population movement, including from India. The Government decision on 4 September to declare a State of Emergency in the affected region, significant delays in the registration process, and the ongoing plan to identify alternative resettlement sites led to multiple challenges for the emergency operation. In response, the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) disseminated an appeal letter on 29 August. However, following additional sectoral assessments and considering the changing working environment, it became clear that an over-arching humanitarian response strategy was required.

Working in close collaboration with the Government, and following best practices in humanitarian coordination, the Nepal IASC, under the leadership of the HC, developed this humanitarian response plan, which is a supplement to the 2008 Nepal Common Appeal for Transition Support. The response plan seeks US $15.5 million to cover the identified and estimated needs of a projected caseload of at least 70,000 persons for a six-month planning horizon, prioritising immediate life-saving activities in ten sectors. The appeal includes six NGO projects, 22 UN projects, and five projects by the International Organisation for Migration. Approximately $3.28 million in contributions and commitments has already been mobilised.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Tables I and II. Summary of Requirements Grouped by Sector and by Appealing Organisations

2. CONTEXT AND HUMANITARIAN CONSEQUENCES

2.1 CONTEXT

2.2 RESPONSE TO DATE

2.3 HUMANITARIAN CONSEQUENCES / NEEDS ANALYSIS

2.4 PLANNING SCENARIO

3. RESPONSE PLANS

3.1 FOOD ASSISTANCE

3.2 NUTRITION

3.3 WATER, SANITATION, AND HYGIENE

3.4 HEALTH

3.5 EDUCATION

3.6 PROTECTION

3.7 CAMP COORDINATION AND CAMP MANAGEMENT

3.8 EMERGENCY SHELTER

3.9 AGRICULTURE

3.10 COORDINATION AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

4. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Table III. List of Projects Grouped by Sector

Table IV. List of Projects Grouped by Appealing Organisation

Table V. List of Projects Grouped by IASC Standard Sector

ANNEX I. THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT SOCIETIES (IFRC)

ANNEX II. ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

Please note that appeals are revised regularly. The latest version of this document is available on http://www.humanitarianappeal.net

For additional copies, please contact:

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Palais des Nations
8-14 Avenue de la Paix
CH - 1211 Geneva, Switzerland

Tel.: (41 22) 917.1972
Fax: (41 22) 917.0368
E-Mail: cap@reliefweb.int