Red Cross launches emergency response in Nepal after floods destroy villages

François Picard welcomed Tommaso Della Longa, spokesperson for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), as the humanitarian agency intensified its response to the recent disaster in Nepal. Della Longa highlighted that the immediate challenge extends beyond the sheer scale of destruction; the loss of roads, bridges and communications networks has made it exceedingly difficult to reach isolated communities that have been cut off by flood‑washed terrain.

The IFRC’s priority in the affected regions remains search and rescue operations and the rapid delivery of life‑saving assistance, while simultaneously laying the groundwork for longer‑term recovery efforts. Coordination with local Red Cross volunteers is central to this strategy, as these responders are on the front lines providing aid to their own neighborhoods despite many having lost homes or family members in the crisis.

The situation underscores a dual humanitarian burden: the urgent need to address physical devastation and the personal toll on first responders who are simultaneously victims and caregivers. The IFRC and its partners continue to mobilize resources to restore essential services and support the resilience of Nepal’s communities in the weeks ahead.