Nepal

Introduction

Nepal is one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries due to its location and climatic conditions. The intensity and frequency of these disasters are increasing due to climate change. Natural hazards cost lives and destroy homes and infrastructure each year and disproportionally affect the most disadvantaged population groups.

The EU supports disaster preparedness initiatives to protect vulnerable populations in Nepal and humanitarian emergency interventions in case of sudden disasters.

Facts & figures

Through its humanitarian efforts, the EU provides vital support to those in need.

EU humanitarian funding:

What are the needs?

Every year, during the monsoon season, landslides and floods result in casualties in Nepal. The threat of fires, glacial lake outburst floods, avalanches, and cold and heat waves always looms large.

Climate change and natural hazards

Climate change increases the frequency and intensity of natural hazards, such as flash floods and landslides. This increases the burden on the population, especially the most vulnerable.

Nepal is also one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to earthquakes. The capital, Kathmandu, is one of the most at-risk cities. Since a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Nepal in 2015, killing nearly 9,000 people and destroying more than 600,000 houses, there has also been a marked increase in landslides. The hills, weakened by the quake, become dangerously unstable when saturated by heavy rains. Deforestation, inadequate road construction, and population growth further exacerbate the situation. 
 

How are we helping?

The EU is committed to supporting those in need across Nepal.

For 2026, the EU has allocated €2.9 million to respond to natural hazards and strengthen disaster preparedness. This includes a country-specific allocation of 1.7 million, complemented by funding from a wider regional disaster preparedness allocation. 

This brings the total humanitarian funding to some €127 million since 2001, of which, more than €40 million supported disaster preparedness and risk reduction activities. 

Disaster preparedness

Due to the increased disaster risks posed by the climate crisis, EU humanitarian funding in Nepal focuses on initiatives that strengthen the disaster preparedness of local institutions. Key priorities include strengthening the emergency response capacity of rural and urban municipal authorities to:

• manage natural hazards such as floods, landslides, fires, and earthquakes
• prepare for potential mass casualties from such events

Specific programmes focus on assessing the potential risk of floods and assisting communities before they occur. The funding also improves the preparedness and response capacities of the government to enable a timely, effective, and targeted response in the aftermath of emergencies.

EU humanitarian aid since 2001

EU humanitarian aid has been present in Nepal since 2001, providing humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and major natural hazards, including the devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake in 2015, which claimed close to 9,000 lives and destroyed more than half a million homes.

During Nepal’s internal conflict and until 2011, EU humanitarian actions supported thousands of conflict-affected people, especially in rural areas, by providing healthcare, water, and sanitation facilities. The EU also assisted refugees from Bhutan for more than 10 years until 2015.