Nepal Flood Disaster Response · Phase Progress Report (3)

This report summarises field updates recorded by 7979 consultant Eddy Hew in Bidur and Devighat from 8–10 September, covering the progress of the tent settlement, services for women and children within the camp, as well as the distribution of gas cylinders and essential supplies on 10 September.

1. Tent Settlement: Approved by Local Government, Pilot Implementation Underway

Displaced residents in Devighat had initially been temporarily accommodated at Shree Chandrajyoti Secondary School, but the school was due to reopen soon. With formal approval from the Mayor of Bidur, who was wearing a white polo shirt that day, MCDS and its partners were permitted to set up 25 tents on the school football field as a pilot settlement, providing displaced residents with a place to move out of the school buildings.

The temporary tent settlement is being set up progressively, and MCDS will continue adjusting the camp layout according to actual conditions on the ground. There remains considerable work ahead in terms of camp management. Although it is currently still the dry season, winter is approaching, and arrangements for warm clothing and bedding, as well as the longer-term use of the camp, will need to be planned in advance.

Preparations for the camp were temporarily put on hold due to internal coordination issues. However, the local government re-approved the project that same evening, allowing the establishment of the tent settlement to continue. UNICEF also expressed interest in using part of the site to provide educational services for children. The respective organisations are still coordinating the allocation of space and responsibilities.

2. Services for Women and Children in the Camp

In addition to the educational space provided by UNICEF, Eddy also connected on site with UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) and its local implementing partner, WOREC.

UNFPA will establish a women’s safe space within the camp to provide psychological counselling, health screenings, including maternal care, as well as a child-friendly space to address the physical and psychosocial needs of women and children in the settlement.

Eddy has previously received UNFPA training in emergency sexual and reproductive health services, enabling him to assist with connecting relevant resources on the ground.

3. Military Transfer Point: Emerging Need for Family Tracing

At the military site used for helicopter transfers of survivors and relief supplies, Eddy observed numerous missing-person notices displayed around the area, reflecting the fact that many families were still searching for missing relatives.

This also indicates that, beyond material assistance, family tracing, information matching and psychosocial support for family members may become important areas requiring attention in the next stage of the response.

4. 10 September: Distribution of Gas Cylinders and Essential Supplies

On 10 September, the team carried out relief distribution at the Devighat evacuation centre.

During the first round of distribution, Samaritan Pulse provided 268 sets of water filters and kitchen supplies. MCDS then distributed one of the most urgently needed items in Nepal at present — cooking gas cylinders.

As India had recently restricted gas supplies, Nepal was facing another gas shortage, making gas cylinders one of the most sought-after essential household items.

The government had previously provided displaced households with a rental subsidy of NPR 10,000, approximately RM267. For many families who had lost everything, this amount was relatively limited. By comparison, one gas cylinder costs approximately NPR 5,000, or around RM134, meaning that this distribution could substantially reduce the financial burden on affected families.

One resident at the distribution site even spoke to Eddy in Malay, sharing that he had previously worked in Malaysia for 20 years but had now lost all his property and business.

Daily rainfall in the area in recent days has also added further difficulty to ongoing relief operations.

5. Eddy’s Field Observations and Follow-up Directions

• Many areas remain inaccessible. However, as roads are gradually cleared, more community needs are expected to emerge, while local resources are likely to remain under increasing pressure.
• MCDS is assessing churches in the area that may require rebuilding.
• MCDS is also assisting Christian families who have lost everything with their subsequent resettlement needs.

6. Next Steps

• Follow up on adjustments to the tent settlement layout and camp management arrangements.
• Continue monitoring the progress of service coordination by UNICEF, UNFPA and other organisations within the camp.
• Follow up on assessments for church rebuilding and the resettlement needs of affected Christian families.
• Continue addressing demand for gas cylinders and monitor the impact of India’s supply regulations on local prices.

The disaster situation continues to change rapidly. 7979 will continue compiling first-hand information so that every expression of concern and support can respond to the latest and most accurate realities on the ground.

7. Sources

Field records, photographs and discussion notes were provided by 7979 consultant Eddy Hew during his field visits to Bidur and Devighat from 8–10 September 2026. Some public health background information was referenced from the WHO Nepal webpage, “Nepal: flash floods and health response”.

Note: The disaster situation and needs assessments are continuously being updated, and subsequent information may therefore be revised. To protect personal privacy and preserve the dignity of victims, certain sensitive field images, such as missing-person notices, have been blurred or excluded from this report.