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Humanitarian Update: Nepal Floods and El Niño Create New Challenges Across Asia-Pacific

The humanitarian landscape across Asia-Pacific continues to evolve rapidly, with major flooding in Nepal, ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and worsening climate-related impacts throughout the Pacific region. During the September Humanitarian Emergency Team (HET) Podcast, Caritas Australia highlighted urgent disaster response efforts, emerging climate risks, and how local Caritas partners are working alongside communities to prepare for and respond to crises. From catastrophic flooding in Nepal to prolonged drought conditions in Papua New Guinea, the importance of community-based humanitarian action has never been clearer.

What Happened During the Catastrophic Nepal Floods?

The humanitarian community has been closely monitoring the devastating floods that struck Nepal on 26 August.

As of 1 September, 939 people had been confirmed dead, with nearly 4,000 people still missing. More than 600 foreign nationals remained unaccounted for, alongside dozens of missing Australians. The disaster was triggered by a glacier collapse that caused what experts have described as an "internal tsunami", generating a seismic event measuring 5.2 in magnitude.

The full extent of the destruction remains unclear as many communities remain cut off and inaccessible. Current efforts are focused on search, recovery, and emergency relief, with assessments continuing across affected regions.

For many families, the uncertainty remains overwhelming, with thousands waiting for news about loved ones while navigating immense loss and disruption.

How Is Caritas Responding to the Nepal Flood Emergency?

Caritas Nepal has mobilised rapidly to support communities affected by the disaster.

More than 50 community kitchens have already been established across impacted areas, providing warm meals to families directly affected by the floods as well as people awaiting information about missing loved ones. Alongside food assistance, psychological support is being offered to help individuals cope with trauma and grief.

In the weeks and months ahead, humanitarian assistance is expected to focus on:

• Food security and emergency nutrition

• Shelter and temporary housing support

• Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services

• School supplies and education recovery

• Community rehabilitation and recovery initiatives

Caritas Australia continues to work closely with Caritas Nepal to identify the most effective ways to support long-term recovery efforts.

Listen to a message from Caritas Nepal here.

What Does El Niño Mean for Communities Across the Pacific?

While major disasters often capture headlines, slower-moving climate impacts can be equally devastating.

Speaking on the podcast, Caritas Australia's lead for Pacific Disaster Risk Reduction, Vuli, shared observations from a recent visit to Papua New Guinea, where communities are already experiencing the effects of El Niño.

One particularly striking example was the unusually early fruiting of mango trees, which local agricultural experts believe may be linked to changing weather patterns. In Port Moresby, residents reported that no rain had fallen for approximately four months, leaving landscapes noticeably drier than usual.

These observations reinforce an important message: El Niño is no longer a future threat. Its impacts are already being felt across the Pacific.

For many communities, this means:

• Extended periods of drought

• Increasing water shortages

• Reduced agricultural productivity

• Greater pressure on vulnerable households

• Increased risk of water-related health challenges

How Are Caritas Partners Preparing Communities for Climate-Related Disasters?

Caritas partners throughout the Pacific are actively engaged in national disaster management systems and community preparedness initiatives.

Rather than operating independently, Caritas organisations work alongside governments, local authorities, churches and community groups to strengthen disaster resilience and response capacity.

Key preparedness and response activities include:

• Retrofitting water infrastructure to improve access during emergencies

• Pre-positioning emergency supplies closer to vulnerable communities

• Distributing water containers and purification tablets

• Supporting community disaster preparedness plans

• Delivering hygiene awareness and public health education

These initiatives may appear simple, but they often have lifesaving impacts. Community education around hygiene and disease prevention becomes particularly important when droughts, floods, or other disasters disrupt access to clean water and sanitation.

As funding pressures continue to affect the global humanitarian sector, the strength of locally rooted organisations remains critical. Caritas partners are trusted members of their communities and continue to provide support long after global attention has shifted elsewhere.

Looking Ahead: What Should Humanitarian Organisations Expect Over the Next 12 Months?

The coming year is likely to present significant challenges across Asia-Pacific.

The recovery effort in Nepal will require sustained support over months and years, while El Niño-related impacts are expected to continue affecting communities throughout the Pacific. Humanitarian organisations will need to balance immediate disaster response with long-term resilience building and climate adaptation efforts.

What remains clear is that local partnerships, community trust, and proactive preparedness will be essential in helping vulnerable communities navigate an increasingly complex humanitarian landscape.

This month, the Humanitarian Emergency Team (HET) reflected on several significant humanitarian milestones and ongoing crises, highlighting the importance of supporting people affected by conflict, disaster and displacement around the world.

Why Does the Refugee Convention Still Matter 75 Years After It Was Signed?

July marked the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, a landmark international agreement established in the aftermath of World War II to protect the rights of refugees. At its core is the principle of non-refoulement, which states that people should not be returned to countries where their lives or freedoms are at risk.

Today, the Convention remains as relevant as ever. With more than 41 million refugees, nearly 9 million asylum seekers, and almost 69 million internally displaced people worldwide, forced displacement has reached unprecedented levels. Across the Caritas network, local teams continue to support displaced communities with essential assistance, helping people rebuild their lives while preserving their safety and wellbeing.

What Happens After the Venezuela Earthquakes and How Is Caritas Helping?

Following the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela on 24 June, Australians have shown extraordinary generosity, contributing almost $700,000 to Caritas Australia's emergency appeal.

Caritas Venezuela has been working around the clock with staff and volunteers nationwide to provide immediate relief and prepare for longer-term recovery efforts. A major recovery program is currently being developed, focusing on restoring livelihoods, providing safe shelter, and supporting the mental health and wellbeing of affected communities.

The global Caritas network has also rallied behind Venezuela, with member organisations providing additional expertise and support to help scale the response.

How Is Caritas Myanmar Helping Communities Recover One Year After the Earthquakes?

Twelve months after a series of devastating earthquakes struck Myanmar, recovery efforts continue in one of the world's most complex humanitarian environments.

The earthquakes affected approximately 1.35 million people, compounding the impacts of ongoing conflict and displacement. Since then, Caritas Myanmar and its partners have provided life-saving and recovery assistance to more than 399,000 people across 631 communities.

Support has included food assistance, cash grants, shelter repairs, clean water access, hygiene supplies and livelihood support. Importantly, programs are tailored to the specific needs of each community, recognising that recovery requires more than meeting immediate needs.

One example comes from a woman whose small tailoring business was devastated by the earthquake. With support from a livelihood grant, she was able to replace equipment, improve her production capacity and increase her income, helping her provide for her family while rebuilding her future.

Stories like these demonstrate how timely support can help people recover faster, regain their independence and strengthen their resilience against future crises.

Why Does World Humanitarian Day Matter?

As we approach World Humanitarian Day on 19 August, we recognise the commitment of humanitarian workers, volunteers and local communities worldwide who continue to support people facing extraordinary challenges.

Thank you to our supporters, donors and partners who make this work possible. Together, we are helping communities not only survive crises, but recover and rebuild with hope for the future.

This month, the Humanitarian Emergency Team (HET) reflected on the role of humanitarian action in an increasingly complex global environment, while highlighting emergency response efforts in Venezuela, healthcare support in Yemen, and the life-changing impact of humanitarian assistance in Ukraine.

Why Are Humanitarian Principles More Important Than Ever in Today's Global Crises?

As conflicts and humanitarian crises continue to grow around the world, global experts are calling for stronger commitment to humanitarian principles and international law.

At a recent workshop hosted by the University of Queensland and the Asia-Pacific Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, humanitarian practitioners, government representatives, academics and private sector leaders explored Australia's role in an evolving humanitarian landscape.

One key message emerged clearly: existing humanitarian principles and international law remain essential for protecting civilians and humanitarian workers during times of conflict. Participants also highlighted the important role faith-based organisations play in supporting peacebuilding, diplomacy and humanitarian action around the world.

The discussion reinforced the value of locally led humanitarian responses and the importance of organisations like Caritas, which work alongside communities before, during and after crises.

What Happened During the Venezuela Earthquakes and What Support Is Needed Now?

On 24 June, Venezuela was struck by two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude. The earthquakes caused widespread destruction across affected communities and added further pressure to a country already facing significant humanitarian challenges.

Initial reports indicated thousands of people affected, with extensive damage to homes, infrastructure and essential services. Many families were displaced and faced urgent needs including shelter, food, clean water and healthcare.

Caritas Venezuela responded immediately, opening churches and community buildings as emergency shelters and mobilising thousands of volunteers across the country. Donation centres were established to coordinate relief supplies and provide emergency assistance to people impacted by the disaster.

The response demonstrated one of the strengths of the global Caritas network: local organisations are already embedded within their communities and can act quickly when disaster strikes. Thanks to the generosity of supporters in Australia and around the world, emergency assistance has continued to reach those most in need as recovery efforts begin.

Why Are Clean Water, Electricity and Hospital Repairs Critical for Healthcare in Yemen?

Yemen remains one of the world's largest and longest-running humanitarian crises, with conflict and economic instability continuing to affect millions of people.

While the crisis may no longer dominate international headlines, humanitarian needs remain immense. Through local partners, Caritas is supporting four healthcare facilities that serve approximately 175,000 people.

The project focuses on improving access to quality healthcare, particularly maternal and obstetric care. Support includes providing medications, medical equipment and community outreach programs that help pregnant women access safe healthcare services.

Beyond medical support, the program is helping keep hospitals operational by providing essential infrastructure improvements. Every month, approximately 445,000 litres of clean water are delivered to healthcare facilities. Additional work includes repairing bathrooms, replacing damaged roofing, upgrading electrical systems and improving sanitation facilities.

These practical upgrades may seem simple, but they are critical to ensuring hospitals remain safe, functional and capable of delivering life-saving healthcare to the communities that depend on them.

How Is Caritas Supporting Families Affected by Conflict in Ukraine?

Across Ukraine, Caritas continues to support families affected by ongoing conflict and displacement.

One recent story highlights the impact that timely humanitarian assistance can have. A mother living with disability and raising eight children alone found herself in an increasingly dangerous situation near the front lines of the conflict.

Recognising the family's vulnerability, Caritas staff worked quickly to secure safe accommodation, organise transportation and support their evacuation to a safer location.

Within days, the family was able to leave the conflict zone and relocate somewhere secure. Beyond immediate safety, they were also connected to additional support services including food assistance, hygiene kits, psychosocial support and safe spaces where children could learn, play and recover from the trauma of displacement.

The story is also a reminder of the dedication of local humanitarian workers, many of whom are themselves affected by the same crises they are responding to. Their commitment allows assistance to reach people facing some of the world's most challenging circumstances.

How Is Caritas Responding to Humanitarian Crises Around the World?

As the new financial year begins, the Humanitarian Emergency Team reflects on a year in which 29 humanitarian projects were supported across 20 countries through 26 partner organisations.

From responding to sudden disasters in Venezuela to supporting healthcare in Yemen and protecting families affected by conflict in Ukraine, these projects are helping communities survive crisis, recover with dignity and build resilience for the future.

Thank you to our supporters, partners and local communities whose generosity and commitment make this work possible.

[Statistics may slightly differ from the Annual Report]