The sixth UAE aid aircraft arrives in Nepal on September 17, 2026. SUPPLIED
The UAE is helping Nepal move into the next phase of the response to devastating floods and landslides, with officials discussing how to restore essential services and rebuild damaged infrastructure as the scale of the disaster becomes clearer.
The UAE Relief Team recently met Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) in Kathmandu to identify priority recovery and reconstruction projects for flood-affected communities.
The meeting was attended by Dr Dharam Raj Upreti, Chief Executive of NDRRMA, and Dr Ahmed Al Mansouri, Head of the UAE Relief Team. Discussions focused on the needs of affected communities and how to move from emergency response into early recovery, including the restoration of essential services and rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure.
The discussions come as Nepal faces a reconstruction bill estimated at $4.78 billion (about Dh17.55 billion). Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said around $57.67 million (about Dh212 million) would be needed for short-term recovery and reconstruction over the next six months, while approximately $4.71 billion (about Dh17.3 billion) would be required for longer-term reconstruction.
“The total estimated requirement for reconstruction is approximately $4.78 billion,” Nepalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lok Bahadur Chhetri told reporters.
The disaster began on August 26 near the China-Nepal border, when a massive surge of water, mud and debris swept through affected areas following glacial and mountain collapses.
The latest figures from Nepal’s disaster authority show the human toll remains severe. As of September 17, a total of 1,403 bodies had been recovered, with 105 identified, while 6,150 people were reported missing. Search and recovery operations were continuing as authorities worked to verify information from affected communities.
The UAE Search and Rescue Team left Nepal on September 17 after completing search operations as well as technical and aerial surveys in affected areas. Working with Nepalese authorities, the team contributed to locating 18 missing people.
At the same time, the UAE continued its humanitarian air bridge. The sixth UAE aid aircraft arrived in Nepal on September 17 carrying 25 tonnes of food parcels and clothing, bringing the total assistance delivered through the air bridge to 245 tonnes. The aircraft was received by UAE Ambassador to Nepal Abdulla Saeed Al Shamsi.
The UAE had earlier allocated $10 million (about Dh36.7 million) through the UAE Aid Agency for the emergency humanitarian response to the floods and landslides.
Dr Upreti commended the UAE’s humanitarian response, particularly its rapid deployment and delivery of relief supplies to affected communities.
The next stage will focus on identifying projects according to needs on the ground, with the aim of helping communities restore basic services, repair damaged infrastructure and gradually resume daily life.
A preliminary UN assessment has already estimated damage to buildings in Nepal at $158 million, while the wider losses are expected to be considerably higher once damage to roads, bridges, agricultural land and other sectors is fully assessed. ICA/Expat Media
For all the latest news from the UAE and the world, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube page
+ There are no comments
Add yours