- What happened? The UAE sent an emergency humanitarian and search-and-rescue mission to Nepal after devastating floods and landslides.
- Who is affected? Communities across several disaster-hit areas in Nepal, with thousands dead or missing and many others injured or displaced.
- Why does it matter? The UAE is providing specialist rescue support, medical assistance and essential supplies as Nepal’s recovery effort continues.
- Location: Nepal
- Organisation: UAE Aid Agency, Joint Operations Command and Dubai Police
- Status: Rescue and relief operations ongoing
- Who is affected: Flood and landslide-hit communities across Nepal
- Business impact: Major infrastructure and hydropower facilities have been damaged
- What’s next: UAE teams will support local search, rescue, medical and early-recovery efforts
The UAE has sent a rescue mission to Nepal following deadly floods and landslides that have caused widespread damage and left thousands of people dead or missing. The mission was dispatched on the directives of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, according to the UAE’s official news agency, WAM.
The UAE has also allocated $10 million in emergency assistance and already delivered 128 tonnes of humanitarian supplies to affected communities. The latest deployment brings specialist search-and-rescue, medical evacuation and first-aid expertise to Nepal as authorities continue a difficult recovery operation.
UAE deploys specialist teams to Nepal
#UAE relief mission departs for #Nepal under UAE President’s directives#WamNews https://t.co/A6BRaNzJdy pic.twitter.com/sh5TLzu2T4
— WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) September 3, 2026
The latest UAE mission brings together personnel from the Joint Operations Command, Dubai Police Search and Rescue team and the UAE Aid Agency.
According to WAM, the specialists will work alongside Nepalese authorities to support search-and-rescue operations and provide urgent medical assistance.
The team includes experts in humanitarian relief, medical evacuation and first aid. Their role is particularly important as rescue workers continue to deal with damaged infrastructure and difficult conditions in areas hit by flooding and landslides.
The UAE Aid Agency is coordinating the response with the UAE Embassy in Kathmandu, Nepalese authorities and relevant international organisations.
This approach allows aid and specialist assistance to be directed towards communities and areas facing the most urgent needs.
UAE commits $10 million in emergency aid
Alongside the rescue mission, the UAE has allocated $10 million to help people affected by the disaster.
The funding is intended to support immediate relief as well as early recovery and stability efforts. It will help provide essential supplies and assistance to people of different age groups who have been affected by the floods and landslides.
The UAE had already begun sending physical aid before the latest rescue team arrived.
Two UAE aircraft transported a combined 128 tonnes of humanitarian supplies to Nepal. The first aircraft carried 83 tonnes of food and shelter materials. The second delivered another 45 tonnes of relief supplies, including food, essential items and electricity generators.
The shipments are aimed at helping communities facing shortages while rescue and recovery work continues.
Nepal faces a major rescue challenge
The scale of the disaster has made the response particularly challenging.
Nepal’s authorities reported that, as of September 3, 1,252 bodies had been recovered, more than 4,200 people remained missing, nearly 12,000 had been rescued and more than 5,000 people had been injured.
The floods have also damaged infrastructure and affected important transport and energy facilities.
Nepal’s Health Emergency Operation Centre reported that the major flash-flood event followed an ice and rock avalanche and temporary damming of the Lhende Khola. The resulting surge affected the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems.
The districts of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitwan, Gorkha and Tanahun were among those affected.
Some of the most difficult rescue operations have involved people believed to be trapped or missing in hydropower tunnels. International teams, including specialists from India, China and South Korea, have also been involved in the wider rescue effort.
Why the UAE mission matters now?
The UAE’s response comes at a stage when Nepal needs more than emergency supplies.
Search teams require specialist equipment and trained personnel, while injured people need medical support. At the same time, communities need food, shelter, electricity and other essentials.
The UAE’s contribution combines these areas through both financial assistance and on-the-ground expertise.
For Nepal, the support can strengthen ongoing rescue operations while helping affected communities move towards early recovery.
The response also reflects the UAE’s wider humanitarian assistance programme. According to WAM, Nepal is among 16 countries across four continents that have received UAE humanitarian support during 2026.
For UAE residents, the mission highlights the country’s continuing role in international disaster relief.
For people affected by the Nepal floods, the immediate benefit is practical: rescue specialists, medical support, emergency supplies and funding for recovery.
For Nepal’s wider economy, restoring roads, power infrastructure and other essential facilities will be an important part of the recovery process. The situation around hydropower facilities is especially significant because damaged energy infrastructure can affect communities and economic activity beyond the areas directly hit by flooding.
The immediate priority, however, remains finding missing people, treating the injured and getting essential assistance to affected communities.
What happens next?
The UAE rescue and relief teams are expected to continue working in coordination with Nepalese authorities and international organisations.
The $10 million allocation will also support early recovery after the immediate emergency phase.
As search operations continue, authorities are expected to focus on areas where people remain missing, damaged infrastructure and communities that need urgent supplies.
The UAE Aid Agency and its partners will continue coordinating assistance through the UAE Embassy in Kathmandu.
FAQs
Why did the UAE send a rescue mission to Nepal?
The UAE sent the mission to support Nepal after deadly floods and landslides caused widespread damage and left thousands of people dead or missing.
How much aid has the UAE provided to Nepal?
The UAE has allocated $10 million for people affected by the disaster and has already sent 128 tonnes of humanitarian supplies on two aid aircraft.
Who is part of the UAE rescue mission?
The mission includes personnel from the UAE Joint Operations Command, Dubai Police Search and Rescue and the UAE Aid Agency, including humanitarian, medical evacuation and first-aid specialists.
How many people have been affected by the Nepal floods?
As of September 3, Nepalese authorities reported 1,252 bodies recovered, more than 4,200 people missing, nearly 12,000 rescued and more than 5,000 injured.
What will the UAE aid be used for?
The assistance will support emergency relief, essential supplies, medical assistance, search-and-rescue work and early recovery efforts in disaster-hit areas.
The UAE has expanded its humanitarian response in Nepal by sending specialist rescue teams and committing $10 million in aid. With search operations still underway and thousands of people missing, the mission will provide practical support to Nepalese authorities during one of the country’s most challenging disaster responses.
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