09/04/2026
FLOODING IN NEPAL UPDATE
from Katherine Parker - Sept. 2, 2026
United Methodist Missionary Katherine Parker, who serves in Nepal with the United Mission to Nepal (UMN), writes about the church response to the devastating flooding that has occurred just west of the Kathmandu Valley where she is assigned. Katherine has been sent into career missionary service by our Conference and has been directly supported by more than 110 Conference churches.
“The videos and images coming from the affected areas are heartbreaking, and the growing lists of those who have died or remain missing are a source of immense grief and anxiety. As of September 2, Ram Nath, UMN's Disaster Response Coordinator, reported to staff that the official death toll is now at 1118 with 3916 persons missing, 11,993 rescued, and 20,819 search-and-rescue personnel deployed. Please continue to hold affected families in your prayers, including both Nepalese communities, pilgrims, and tourists who were in the area.
“Given the scale of the disaster, widespread mobilization and coordination efforts are underway to reach affected families across multiple locations. UMN is coordinating with the government efforts and has responded to a call for food and non-food items in both Dhading and Nuwakot. We are working on bringing in supplies for about 1000 families.
“Subject to availability of funds, UMN may also be able to respond in Rasuwa where support has also been requested. While we had closed our office in Dhading following the conclusion of six years of relief work after the 2015 earthquake, UMN still has relationships in the district built over 20+ years of working in this part of Nepal. We are reliant upon these strong local connections and partnerships to enable this response and anticipate a sustained presence to support the recovery efforts.
“Our longer-term plan is to support school recovery efforts in the Nuwakot region. More details will emerge as assessments are completed and response priorities become clearer. Several members of our Kathmandu-based staff have traveled to the region to support assessments and on-the-ground coordination.
A UMN appeal for support is here: https://www.umn.org.np/nepalflood26
You can give through The Advance (3023568) via your local United Methodist Church, or online at: https://gbhem-umc.my.site.com/hemgm/s/campaign/a3fPo000000D4A4IAK/united-mission-to-nepal-integrated-community-development-project
Katherine herself is safe and with family on home leave in Mill Valley. She continues to be in close contact with her UMN colleagues in Nepal.
