Empowering Resilience: GPF Nepal’s Response to the Balkhu Flood Crisis in Kathmandu

Wairimu Mwangi

December 14, 2024

Volunteers wearing masks sort cleaning supplies outside a building in Kathmandu. Some, showcasing their resilience with shirts reading

Global Peace Foundation volunteers distribute hygiene kits to flood victims in Nepal.

Natural disasters often strike without warning, leaving behind a trail of devastation that disrupts lives and communities. This was the case in late September 2024 when heavy rainfall caused massive flooding and landslides across Nepal, severely impacting areas like Balkhu in Kathmandu. In the aftermath, Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Nepal stepped in, exemplifying a mission of “Living for the Greater Good.”

Amid the Balkhu Flood Crisis, people show resilience as they distribute red buckets to a group of women outdoors. Some individuals wear gloves and face masks as a safety measure, embodying the community spirit fostered by GPF Nepal.

Global Peace Foundation volunteers distribute hygiene kits to flood victims in Nepal.

The floods displaced families, contaminated water sources, and created an urgent need for hygiene and sanitation resources. As sewage mixed with floodwaters, the risk of waterborne diseases like cholera and vector-borne illnesses like dengue surged, especially in vulnerable communities with inadequate drainage systems. Amid this chaos, GPF Nepal recognized a gap in relief efforts: the lack of focus on hygiene essentials.

With a vision of fostering health, hope, and resilience, GPF Nepal launched a two-pronged initiative: a cleaning program and the distribution of hygiene kits to the local community at Balkhu, Ward No. 14 on October 8, 2024. The team conducted a thorough needs assessment, mobilizing staff, interns, and volunteers to identify the most pressing challenges faced by 452 affected families.

The hygiene kits, thoughtfully curated, included mosquito nets, water purifiers, soaps, sanitary pads, and other essentials. Additionally, GPF volunteers cleaned flood-damaged homes, providing a fresh start for families overwhelmed by the disaster. One recipient, Bina Magar, expressed her gratitude, recounting how GPF’s efforts restored a sense of normalcy to her life:

“I felt helpless removing the flood debris alone. GPF’s team worked tirelessly for hours to clean my house. Their support gave me the strength to move forward.”

Two people wearing masks, gloves, and boots are shoveling mud inside a partially constructed room with brick walls, remnants of the recent Balkhu Flood that hit Kathmandu.

Volunteers help clean homes of flood victims.

The relief efforts in Balkhu reflect the broader mission of the Global Peace Foundation, promoting community-driven initiatives that build resilience and foster unity. Across its chapters worldwide, GPF works to bridge gaps during crises by empowering people to take ownership of their community’s recovery efforts and support each other.

From volunteers like Sovit Khadka, who found hope and purpose in cleanup efforts, to beneficiaries like Dripti Dhakal, who witnessed the transformative impact of hygiene kits, the Balkhu initiative demonstrated the power of collective action. As GPF Nepal’s volunteer, Prakritee Shrestha, shared:

“Distributing hygiene kits was a powerful moment that highlighted the importance of community support in rebuilding lives.”

By supporting the vulnerable populations of Balkhu, GPF Nepal reminds us that even small acts of kindness can spark immense change and as GPF continues its mission globally, it invites individuals and organizations to join its journey of service. Together, we can build resilient communities that rise stronger from adversity.