Nepal floods: In pictures

More than 70,000 people were thought to have been displaced by the floods. Oxfam was one of the first agencies to launch an emergency response.
Here, an Oxfam rescue boat takes people to safety.

Photo: IFRC (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent)

Sabitri Devi lost her home and two buffalo to the floods.

  When the floods came I was outside cutting grass. I was terrified. When I ran home I found the house destroyed. My children were frightened and standing on the bed with the water level up to their chest. Most of the food had been washed away and anything that was left was ruined. I went to the shed to collect my buffalo but they weren't there. So I took my children and utensils and started running towards higher ground.

Photo: Sushant Sharma, Oxfam Intern

Oxfam provided temporary shelter to some of the worst affected families who lost their homes to the floods. More than 4,199 shelters were constructed and tarpaulins, rope and plastic mats provided. We also erected an additional 840 bamboo shelter frames covered with tarpaulin provided by the Nepal Red Cross.

Photo: Oxfam

Soniya Devi Mukhiya and her children escaped their flooded home and are staying in a tent provided by Oxfam.

  After we were rescued we stayed on the embankment but it was raining heavily and all of us were getting soaked. After receiving our tent and relief materials, I feel more secure. But I am still worried as we are living on the bank of the river and during the winter there will be severe cold.

Photo: Sushant Sharma, Oxfam Intern

Oxfam also helped set up camp committees responsible for the day-to-day management of each camp and co-ordinating relief support.

Here, Project Officer Bhimsen Chaudhary meets with flood victims near West Koshi Embankment to discuss forming a Camp Management Committee.

Photo: Oxfam

Oxfam's flood response has included public health and hygiene promotion. Ranjana Jha has been trained as a public health volunteer.

  I received a full day of training and now am working as a public health volunteer in Camp A. I advise 40 households a day about healthy practices such as washing our hands with soap.
Before my training I was unaware of such things, but now I feel useful as I go visit people and inform them about the public health issues. It feels good to help others.

Photo: Sushant Sharma, Oxfam Intern

As winter approached and the Terai was hit by a cold wave from the Himalayas, Oxfam and KVS lead the planning for winter support, and carried out discussions with the affected communities on recovery planning.

Find out more about Oxfam's flood response

Photo: Oxfam