Canada stands in solidarity with all those affected by the catastrophic flash floods and landslides along the Nepal-China border that have caused a tragic loss of life and widespread damage to homes, communities and infrastructure. While the full scale of the tragedy is still unfolding, the number of people affected is significant and humanitarian efforts must be urgently scaled up to ensure life-saving assistance reaches those most in need.

Today, the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), provided a consular update on Canadians affected and announced $5 million in humanitarian assistance funding to support emergency relief efforts in Nepal. This funding will support the delivery of life-saving assistance, such as emergency food, shelter, water, sanitation and health services, which will be delivered through UN, Red Cross and Canadian NGO partners.

Canada has also offered to deploy relief supplies from its emergency stockpiles via the Canadian Red Cross should they be requested.

Canada remains in close contact with experienced humanitarian partners to assess and respond to changing needs over the coming days and weeks as needs become clearer.

Officials from Global Affairs Canada are on the ground and working urgently to get in touch with Canadians and their families. We have deployed five consular officials to Kathmandu who, working closely with the Honorary Consul of Canada in Kathmandu, are coordinating with local authorities and partners. They stand ready to assist Canadians in the affected region.

This is a rapidly evolving situation, and water levels and volumes are expected to change. Canadians in Nepal or the Tibet Autonomous Region of China should consult Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories regularly and sign up now for the Registration of Canadians Abroad service to receive important information from the Government of Canada. Those already registered should review their information to ensure it is current and accurate.

People in need can contact on the numbers and also send an email to the Canadian authorities. Telephone: +1 613-996-8885 (collect calls accepted where available), email: sos@international.gc.ca, SMS: +1 613-686-3658, WhatsApp: +1 613-909-8881, Signal: +1 613-909-8087. 

We thank the Canadian families who have reached out to date. As communication networks come online, we encourage you to reach out to the Emergency Watch and Response Centre should you hear from your family members.   

“Canada is focused on supporting Canadians and their families as this devastating situation unfolds. Our consular teams are working around the clock, both here in Canada and on the ground in the region, to reach Canadians and provide assistance. We are working closely with authorities in Nepal and China, as well as our partners and allies, and doing everything we can to help Canadians affected by this crisis. Our thoughts are with the people of Nepal and China, and with all those affected by this tragedy,"  Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs said.