Kathmandu: The Government of the Republic of Korea and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are supporting Nepal’s emergency response and early recovery efforts following the devastating floods of 26 August 2026, by providing specialised equipment to strengthen the capacity of authorities and frontline responders in affected areas.
The UNDP stated, “The floods claimed numerous lives, damaged critical infrastructure, and disrupted communities across several districts, leaving families in need of support and recovery. In response to a request from the Government of Nepal, the Republic of Korea is providing critical emergency response equipment to support ongoing relief and recovery operations.”
The assistance includes drones equipped with cameras, and portable 3KVA backup power generators. Procured and delivered through UNDP Nepal, the equipment will help responders operate more effectively in difficult flood-affected environments, by supporting search and rescue, assessment of affected areas, underwater operations, and the provision of emergency power.
The support goes beyond the immediate emergency response. By strengthening the tools available to national and local authorities, the partnership contributes to Nepal’s broader efforts to build stronger disaster preparedness, response capacity, and resilience in the face of increasingly complex climate induced disaster risks.
The equipment was handed over to the National Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Authority, Ministry of Home Affairs, Nepal by Park Jae-kyung, Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Korea to Nepal, and Kyoko Yokosuka, Resident Representative of UNDP in Nepal.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Ambassador-designate Park stated, “The Republic of Korea stands in solidarity with the people of Nepal at this difficult time. We hope this equipment will provide practical and timely support to the authorities and frontline responders working in challenging conditions. Our partnership with Nepal is committed to strengthening the systems and capacities that protect communities when disasters strike.”
Similarly, UNDP Resident Representative Yokosuka added, “Through this partnership, UNDP is helping translate the Republic of Korea’s support into operational capacity on the ground. These specialised assets will support the response and recovery efforts while also strengthening the preparedness and resilience of institutions responsible for protecting communities in future emergencies.”
The initiative reflects the shared commitment of the Government of Nepal, the Republic of Korea, and UNDP to connect immediate emergency assistance with longer-term resilience. It also demonstrates how international partnerships can rapidly mobilise specialised technology and resources in support of national response systems during times of crisis.
