Australia Pledges $3.6M for Nepal-China Flood Relief

Australia will provide $3.6 million in humanitarian aid to communities devastated by severe flooding along the Nepal-China border, while deploying additional consular and emergency response personnel as the number of missing Australians rises to 39.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the assistance on Friday alongside International Development Minister Anne Aly, as rescue teams continue searching for survivors across the remote disaster zone.

The flash floods, triggered by a glacier collapse, have killed at least 359 people and left nearly 1,000 others missing. Around half of those still unaccounted for are foreigners, highlighting the international scale of the disaster.

“The extraordinary scale of this disaster and the remoteness of the affected region mean immense challenges lie ahead for the response and recovery,” Wong said in the joint statement.

Australian authorities said at least 39 Australians are now considered missing, an increase from the previous estimate of 34. The government is strengthening its presence in the region to support Australians and their families as search and rescue operations continue.

Australia’s $3.6 million aid package will be divided between the United Nations’ World Food Programme and Australian non-governmental organizations involved in the emergency response. The funding is expected to help provide urgent humanitarian assistance to communities affected by the Nepal-China border floods.

Canberra has also sent an Australian crisis response specialist to Kathmandu to support coordination efforts. Another team consisting of three humanitarian workers is expected to deploy within 48 hours, joining Australian personnel already operating in the region.

The remote terrain and widespread destruction are complicating efforts to reach affected communities and locate people who remain missing. Authorities face a major recovery operation as they assess damage and work to deliver food, emergency supplies and other assistance.

Australia’s expanded response comes as officials continue monitoring the situation and seeking information about citizens who have not yet been accounted for following one of the region’s deadliest recent flooding disasters.