India remains the fastest draw in flood relief to Nepal: 141.5 tonnes of aid rushed after flash floods
India's prompt response to the disaster in Nepal has reinforced the country's "first responder" tag.
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India has sent over hundreds of tonnes of emergency relief material to flood-stricken Nepal. As per data accessed by HT, New Delhi has rushed a total of 141.5tonnes of material and equipment between August 26 and September 19.
On August 26, 2026, a series of flash floods struck Nepal and Tibet in one of the worst natural disasters the country has seen. The floods killed a total of 1,411 people in the landlocked country, as per Nepal's disaster management agency, and left around 5,875 missing. In Tibet, around 43 deaths were reported, with 519 people missing.
India's prompt response reinforces the country's "first responder" tag, reflecting its growing record of delivering aid and assistance to disaster-hit countries, from Türkiye and Syria to Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Venezuela.
Based on the data accessed by HT, along with emergency relief material, India has also sent around 54 expert personnel to help with reconstruction, emergency control and rescue across Nepal.
India rushes aid to Nepal | A timeline
- August 26 - 10 tonnes of emergency aid
- August 27 - 37.5 tonnes of emergency aid
- August 28 - 3 tonnes of emergency aid, 6 member army tunnel rescue team and 5 member medical team.
- August 29 - 11 tonnes of emergency aid, 13 member tunnel rescue team, 19 member forsenics team
- September 2 - 5.5 tonnes of emergency aid, 11 member rescue team
- September 6 - Two flights of 21.5 tonnes of emergency aid
- September 8 - 35 tonnes of emergency aid
- September 19 - 11 tonnes of emergency aid
Also Read | India rushes 62-tonne aid to Nepal as it walks the talk on ‘first responder’ role
Foreign aid to Nepal
Along with India, several other nations and international organisations had pledged aid and emergency material to Nepal.
Among these nations were Australia, Canada, South Korea, the United Kingdom and organisations such as the World Bank, the European Union, the Asian Development Bank, the Red Cross and the Red Crescent societies and more.
| S.No. | Country / Organisation | Assistance Announced | Assistance Announced in US$ | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | A$ 11 million | $ 7.9 million | Australia initially pledged A$5 million assistance package, broken into three parts: A$2 million to the World Food Programme (which has already dispatched food rations and logistics support), A$2 million to Australian NGOs through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (for shelter, hygiene kits, blankets, medical and psychosocial support), and A$1 million to the Emergency Action Alliance (EAA) for locally-led recovery efforts. On 30 August, the Australian Government pledged a further A$3 million in humanitarian assistance for emergency supplies (A$ 2 million) and contribution to the Emergency Action Alliance (EAA) (A$ 1 million). On 3 September, the Australian Government announced a support of an additional A$3 million. Australia has deployed a team of specialist drone operators to Nepal as part of a 15-person Disaster Assistance Response Team. |
| 2 | United Kingdom | £5 million | $ 6.8 million | The UK has pledged £5 million (approximately $6.8 million) to be disbursed through development partners. The funding will help provide cash assistance, emergency shelter, safe water, hygiene & health support & protection services. The UK has reportedly been requested to provide 10 Bailey bridges, longer than 70 meters and with double lanes, as a grant. |
| 3 | Sri Lanka | $ 1 million | $ 1 million | Sri Lanka has pledged $1 million in direct financial assistance to support Nepal's relief efforts. |
| 4 | South Korea | $ 1 million | $ 1 million | South Korea has pledged $1 million in humanitarian aid, to be channelled through international organizations. South Korea had dispatched a rapid response team to Nepal shortly after the flood to help search for nine South Korean workers missing at a hydropower project. South Korea had sent a 44-member emergency relief team to Nepal to support the ongoing search-and-rescue operations. This team has now returned to Korea. A separate Korean team is present in Nepal to assist in forensic activities/identification. The Community Chest of Korea will provide $ 700,000 in emergency funding to support relief and recovery efforts. South Korea, alongside the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), formally handed over emergency response and relief equipment to Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Authority (NDRRMA) on 17 September to support ongoing rescue and recovery efforts following severe floods and landslides in Rasuwa. |
| 5 | United States | $ 5 million | $ 5 million | The U.S. has provided over $5 million in humanitarian, health, and forensics-related assistance following the floods, including: $3 million in food and logistics assistance provided through our global assistance award with World Food Program. This will provide up to three months of emergency food to 10,000 flood-affected households and address major supply chain constraints in humanitarian deliveries, by utilizing air and ground transport to reach communities cut off from access. $ 685,000 in food, shelter, water, sanitation, and hygiene, protection, and financial assistance through our global assistance award with Catholic Relief Services (CRS). CRS is providing a range of U.S. Government-funded assistance to communities affected by the floods, including essential shelter and food items, blankets, plastic sheeting, tents, solar lights, and dignity kits, while also operating child-friendly spaces to support affected children. $ 365,000 in health, nutrition, and water, sanitation, and hygiene assistance to flood-affected communities through Jhpiego, FHI 360, and UNICEF. $1 million to provide forensic support to Nepal Police. The first deliveries of U.S. assistance reached Nuwakot and Rasuwa between 29 and 30 August. It included the more than 2.5 tons of food supplies, 500 blankets, 500 mosquito nets, and 500 insulating foam sheets for shelter flooring. |
| 6 | United Arab Emirates (UAE) | $ 10 million | $ 10 million | The UAE has allocated $10 million in assistance through the UAE Aid Agency. On 29 August, the UAE dispatched 83 tonnes of food supplies, shelter materials and essential humanitarian aid to Nepal. The second consignment of relief materials arrived from UAE on 31 August. The third consignment of relief supplies (around 20 tonnes), along with a search and rescue team, arrived on 4 September. The fourth consignment of relief materials (around 38 tonnes) arrived from UAE on 9 September. The fifth consignment of relief materials arrived on 12 September. The sixth humanitarian aid aircraft arrived in Nepal on 17 September. The total volume of assistance delivered by the UAE is about to 245 tonnes. |
| 7 | China | $ 2.2 million | $ 2.2 million | China has pledged $ 2 million in emergency flood relief assistance to the Government of Nepal. Further, $ 200,000 is being provided by Red Cross Society of China to the Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund of Nepal. On 29 August, China dispatched five tunnel experts to Nepal. On 30 August, two Y-20 transport aircraft of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force carrying 50 tonnes of emergency relief supplies arrived in Kathmandu. The supplies included tents, blankets, sleeping bags, hard tack and first-aid kits. Four Chinese tunnel rescue experts, along with rescue equipment, arrived on board. On 1 September, the second batch of China-aid emergency relief supplies arrived in Nepal aboard a Y-20 large transport aircraft of the PLA Air Force of China. Five DNA identification experts also arrived on the same flight. The relief supplies include drones, DNA testing instruments and reagents, water purification equipment, and lighting devices. On 3 September, the third batch of China-aid emergency relief supplies arrived in Nepal aboard a Y-20A, along with 10 Chinese forensic experts to assist with victim identification. On 8 September, the fourth consignment of relief materials arrived in Nepal, which included rescue hovercrafts, stainless steel permanent magnet flood pumps, spare batteries, mortuary freezers, and solar powered lights. On 11 September, the fifth batch of China-Aid emergency relief supplies arrived in Kathmandu. China has shared images, satellite & hydrological data of disaster-hit areas with Nepal. China is reportedly expected to provide 30 Bailey bridges to Nepal. Materials for 2 of these bailey bridges (100 meters length) were received by Nepal on 4 September. The 9-member Chinese tunnel rescue team handed over the equipment that had been used in the rescue operations to the Government of Nepal on 18 September 2026. China has reportedly provided about Nepali Rupees 36 million (USD 0.23 million) in cash assistance to Nepal. |
| 8 | Canada | C$ 5 million | $ 3.6 million | Canada has announced C$ 5 million in humanitarian assistance funding to support emergency relief efforts in Nepal. This funding is for emergency food, shelter, water, sanitation and health services, delivered through UN, Red Cross and Canadian NGO partners. |
| 9 | Qatar | - | - | Aid is being provided by the Qatar Fund for Development. On 31 August, a Qatari Armed Forces aircraft arrived in Nepal carrying approximately 40 tons of humanitarian aid including water extraction and pumping equipment, lighting and food supplies, and multipurpose tents. |
| 10 | Singapore | $560,000 | $560,000 | On 1 September, the first group of officers from the Singapore Police Force (SPF) arrived in Kathmandu as part of Singapore’s provision of Disaster Victim Identification support to the Nepal. On 2 September, the second batch of officers landed in Kathmandu. Singapore Government has contributed $100,000 to the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) public fundraising in support of relief efforts in Nepal. On 10 September, a Humanitarian Aid Package arrived in Nepal from Singapore. The package comprises humanitarian and emergency response supplies, such as medical supplies, DNA test kits and personal protective equipment. It also includes specialised equipment to support ongoing search, recovery, and disaster victim identification efforts. |
| 11 | Bhutan | INR 100 million | $ 1 million | On 2 September 2026, the Government of Bhutan contributed INR 100 million to Nepal’s Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund. |
| 12 | Japan | $1 million | $1 million | On 3 September, nearly 9.3 tonnes of emergency relief, including blankets, plastic sheets, sleeping pads, tents and portable jerry cans, arrived in Nepal, as part of assistance being provided by Japan and JICA. On 18 September, it was announced the Government of Japan has provided emergency grant worth $ 1 million through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to support water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions for communities affected by the recent flash floods in Nepal. |
| 13 | Pakistan | Pakistan reportedly sent 100 tons of relief materials to Nepal on 6 September 2026. | ||
| 14 | France | France has provided emergency relief materials for 200 households in the flood affected areas. Aid materials arrived from the French government through the European Union on 15 September 2026. | ||
| 15 | Denmark | More than 3.50 million DKK | More than $ 0.5 million | Via Danish Red Cross, Mission East, ActionAid, DanChurchAid, WWF and UN OCHA, Denmark is contributing to water, housing and health operations. |
| 16 | Ireland | €500,000 | $ 0.6 million | Ireland’s contribution will support the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) Nepal Floods Appeal and will be channeled to the Nepalese Red Cross to provide urgent assistance. |
| 17 | Czech Republic | 2.5 million Czech Koruna | $ 0.12 million | |
| 18 | Norway | 12.7 million Norwegian kroner | $ 1.3 million | The Norwegian government sent 82 tons of relief materials for the flood victims on 8 September 2026. |
| 19 | Germany | $2 million | $2 million | Germany and Luxembourg provided 61 and 6 tonnes of essential relief supplies, respectively, to Nepal through the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism. The supplies were handed over on 10 September 2026. |
| 20 | Bangladesh | $1 million | $1 million | Bangladesh has pledged $1 million in aid for rescue, relief, rehabilitation, and humanitarian efforts for those affected by the floods in Nepal. |
| 21 | Switzerland | $2 million | $2 million | On 27 August, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) made USD 1 million available for emergency humanitarian relief. On 4 September, it committed a further USD 1 million. Three Swiss specialists are being deployed to provide on-the-ground assistance with reconstruction and disaster risk management. |
| 22 | New Zealand | NZ$ 2 million | $ 1.2 million | New Zealand has pledged NZ$ 2 million in humanitarian assistance. The aid includes NZ$1 million to the Nepal Red Cross Society for emergency shelter, clean water, sanitation, and family reunification, with another NZ$1 million allocated to international relief agencies for ongoing recovery efforts. |
| 23 | Cyprus | €200,000 | $232,609.53 | Cyprus Aid is contributing €200,000 to UNOCHA and its UN Global Emergency Fund CERF in helping power their response, and to UNICEF to facilitate the delivery of emergency cash assistance to families. |
| 24 | Malaysia | $ 1 million | ||
| 25 | Thailand | THB 7 million | $212,681.98 | The Royal Thai Government has provided THB 7 million in cash and other emergency relief assistance. |
| 26 | Vietnam | $300,000 | ||
| Other International Organisations | ||||
| 1 | World Bank | Upto NRs. 25 billion | Upto $ 163 million | The World Bank's country director has informed Nepal's Finance Ministry that up to NRs. 25 billion (approximately $163.6 million) in emergency aid could be mobilized to support rescue and reconstruction efforts. |
| 2 | European Union | € 2.5 million | The EU has allocated €2 million ($ 2.32 million) in humanitarian aid. The EU activated its Copernicus satellite system to help map affected areas and support response planning. On 3 September 2026, the EU announced a further € 0.5 million in humanitarian aid. The additional funding will support an International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) operation led by the Nepal Red Cross Society. | |
| 3 | Asian Development Bank (ADB) | $ 5.15 million | $ 5.15 million | ADB has pledged US$5 million in budgetary support (grant), and the ADB has also pledged US$150,000 for technical assistance. |
| 4 | UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) | USD 2.5 million | $ 2.5 million | The UN has released $2.5 million in emergency funds to support medical care, shelter and water needs for affected communities. |
| 5 | International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) | CHF 1 million | $ 1.2 million | The IFRC has released an initial 1 million Swiss francs (about $1.24 million) in emergency funding to support the Nepal Red Cross Society's response, and has separately launched a larger Emergency Appeal for CHF 25 million (approximately $31 million) to sustain the Society's relief operations. |
| 6 | Welthungerhilfe (Germany) | €100,000 | $110,000 | German humanitarian organization is providing €100,000 (approximately $110,000) from its emergency relief fund. |
| 7 | World Health Organisation | $150,000 | $150,000 | The World Health Organization has released $150 000 from the South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund to support urgent health and other needs of the communities impacted by the devastating flash floods in Nepal. |
Along with this, private companies such as Nvidia donated around $10 million for relief, and South Korea's Doosan Group donated around $ 5 million.
Shishir Gupta is Executive Editor at Hindustan Times and one of India's top journalists covering national security, strategic affairs, foreign policy and geopolitics. Over the past three decades, he has extensively reported on India's military, diplomatic and security landscape, covering every major conflict and national security challenge, from the 1999 Kargil War and the 2020 East Ladakh standoff to Operation Sindoor in 2025. He has also covered major terror attacks, including the IC-814 hijacking, the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and the 2025 Pahalgam terror strike, along with numerous Pakistan-backed terrorist incidents in the Kashmir Valley and across India. He has reported on national and state elections for more than three decades. A recognised authority on strategic affairs, Gupta has covered India's nuclear programme since the Pokhran-II (Shakti series) tests in May 1998 and has written extensively on global nuclear issues, Indian diplomacy and the country's expanding global outreach. He has also reported widely on international conflicts and terrorism, with a special focus on the Indian subcontinent. Gupta has interviewed Prime Minister Narendra Modi more than four times, including Modi's first interview with the print media after becoming Prime Minister in May 2014. His other interviews include three with the Dalai Lama, as well as conversations with Benjamin Netanyahu, Amit Shah, Yogi Adityanath, S. Jaishankar, Nirmala Sitharaman and Piyush Goyal. He is the author of Indian Mujahideen: The Enemy Within (Hachette, 2011) and Himalayan Face-off: Chinese Assertion and Indian Riposte (Hachette, 2014). He was awarded the Chevening-Wolfson Joint Scholarship at Wolfson College, University of Cambridge, UK, in 1998 and participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) of the US State Department in 2006. He received the Ben Gurion Prize from Israel in 2011 and the K. Subrahmanyam Prize for Strategic Studies in 2015 from the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA). Since 2024, he has hosted Point Blank, Hindustan Times' weekly YouTube show on global geopolitics.Read More
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