Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Nepal Thanks World for Flood Support, Rejects Assistance Claims
A very large flood badly damaged parts of Nepal.
More than 650 people died, and over 2,400 people were still missing.
The disaster began after ice and rocks fell when a glacier collapsed near the Nepal-Tibet border.
Nepal said it is thankful to countries helping with rescue and relief.
India sent food and other supplies, along with experts to help local teams.
China, Japan, Australia and other countries also provided essential items.
Nepal’s foreign minister said reports claiming the country refused international help were false.
He explained that Nepal used its own rescue teams first because the terrain was difficult and outside teams could make coordination harder.
Nepal may ask other countries for more specialized help and reconstruction support.
Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal thanked the international community, including India, for assistance after devastating flash floods.
Khanal denied reports that Nepal had rejected international aid, saying support is needed for both relief and reconstruction.
India has sent 57.6 tonnes of relief materials and an 11-member team of medical and tunnel-rescue specialists.
The floods killed more than 650 people, while over 2,400 remained missing as rescue efforts continued.
The disaster followed an ice-rock avalanche after a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border, sending water, mud and debris downstream.
- Who
- Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal and Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle, along with international partners assisting Nepal.
- What
- Nepal thanked foreign supporters and rejected reports that it had refused international assistance after deadly flash floods.
- When
- The statement was made on Saturday, August 29, after floods that began on Wednesday.
- Where
- Flood-affected areas of central Nepal, following an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border.
- Why
- The floods caused extensive deaths and destruction, creating urgent needs for rescue, relief and reconstruction assistance.
Nepal Government’s Position
Reports Claiming Aid Was Rejected
Acceptance of international assistance
Nepal Government’s Position
Nepal said it did not reject international assistance and expressed gratitude for aid already provided, including India’s relief materials and specialist team.
Reports Claiming Aid Was Rejected
Reports in national and foreign media claimed that Nepal had rejected international assistance and support.
Foreign rescue teams
Nepal Government’s Position
Nepal said rescue operations initially relied on national capacity because outside teams could face unfamiliar terrain, coordination difficulties and unforeseen risks; specialized assistance would be accepted when needed.
Reports Claiming Aid Was Rejected
The reports implied that foreign assistance, including support for search and rescue, had not been accepted.
- Reported deaths
- More than 650 people
- People missing
- More than 2,400
- Indian relief supplies
- 57.6 tonnes
- Indian assistance team
- 11 medical personnel and tunnel-rescue experts
- Other supporting countries
- China, Japan, Australia and other friendly nations
- Cause of disaster
- An ice-rock avalanche following a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border
- Damage reported
- Homes, vehicles, roads, bridges and hydropower projects were damaged