The Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Nepal, Jamie McGoldrick expressed his condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives and those who are still missing from the last month’s landslides and floods. Over this past month weeks the United Nations and partners in Nepal have been working side by side with the Government of Nepal in responding to the landslide and flood emergencies.

The Government’s response to the Sunkoshi landslide was effective and well-managed. “Now Nepal is faced with responding to multiple floods in many parts of the country. This would be challenging for any government, but in Nepal is made even more difficult by the lack of access, topography, lack of verified information and the challenge in monitoring impact on the ground,” said a press release issued by United Nations Information Center. The extent of the damage caused by floods and landslides as well as the number of people affected are difficult to ascertain with certainty. But it is clear that some newspapers and social media have reported numbers that are grossly overestimated.

At present, the data, which the UN has collated from multiple government and non-government sources including at local level, indicates that 43,000 families have been affected out of which 21,196 households have been displaced. Some affected people have already returned home and resumed their normal life. “Relief is moving” Jamie McGoldrick stated, “and this is done at the request and under the leadership of the Government of Nepal. For the next 30 days the focus will be on the needs of the displaced people. Beyond this period resettlement and recovery activities will be required. The UN stands ready to work with the Government in the crucial period ahead.”