Intrepid Travel has launched an emergency fundraising appeal following the catastrophic flash floods in Nepal, pledging to match donations dollar-for-dollar up to AU$100,000.
The appeal is being run through the tour operator’s not-for-profit arm, The Intrepid Foundation, in partnership with Australian Red Cross, which is supporting emergency response efforts on the ground.
Funds raised will help flood-affected communities with emergency shelter, clean water, sanitation and hygiene services, first aid and healthcare.
The floods struck northern Nepal on Wednesday morning, devastating communities in Timure, Rasuwagadhi and Syabrubesi before surging downstream through the Bhotekoshi, Trishuli and Narayani river systems.
The latest figures remain fluid, but by Friday morning at least 389 people had been confirmed dead in Nepal and three in Tibet, taking the regional death toll to 392. Nepal’s Tourism Board said 677 people remained missing, including 550 foreign nationals from more than 30 countries. At least 39 Australians were among those unaccounted for.
Preliminary assessments indicate a large glacial collapse blocked a tributary before releasing a powerful surge of water, ice, rock and debris. The flood swept away settlements, roads, bridges and sections of highway, leaving some affected communities isolated and difficult for rescuers to reach.
Authorities are also monitoring barrier lakes created by debris from the disaster amid concerns that further breaches could send additional floodwaters downstream.
Intrepid operates 26 itineraries in Nepal and employs 76 local team members. The company confirmed that no Intrepid customers or staff were in the affected areas when the flooding occurred and all of its travellers in Nepal have been safely accounted for.
“The scale of this disaster is devastating. Communities across the region are grieving the loss of loved ones,” Intrepid Travel General Manager Nepal Yalamber Rai said.
Rai said support would be critical during the coming weeks and months and encouraged those able to contribute to donate or help share the appeal.
The Australian Government has separately announced a $5 million humanitarian assistance package, including support for the World Food Programme, Australian NGOs and locally led recovery efforts. It is also deploying additional consular and humanitarian personnel to the region.
Australian travel advisors with clients in Nepal should continue monitoring official advice and ensure travellers follow the directions of local authorities. Those concerned about an Australian in the affected region can contact DFAT’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 from Australia or +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas.
Donations can be made through The Intrepid Foundation’s Nepal Flood Appeal. Intrepid will match donations up to a combined total of AU$100,000.
