News > Hope after the floods
October 20, 2026
When devastating floods swept through Nepal, 29-year-old Bhawana and her family were left struggling to survive. Today, thanks to emergency assistance from cbm and its local partners, they have received essential supplies to help them through an incredibly difficult time.
For Bhawana, who has low vision and a hearing impairment, life since the floods has been filled with uncertainty and fear.
She lives with her husband, Raju, their two young daughters, Radhika and Rajani, who both have visual impairments, and her mother-in-law, Kamala.
With nowhere safe to call home, the family of five has been sheltering beside a road in Nuwakot, Nepal, in a tiny makeshift dwelling measuring just two metres by two metres.
Bhawana dug out the mud and built the shelter herself on government-owned land. But when strong winds swept through, the fragile structure collapsed.
She rebuilt it, only to discover that cracks in the ground and inadequate covering meant rainwater continued to seep inside.
"It was extremely difficult for me," Bhawana recalls. "If we left it as it was, it would leak; if we tried to cover it on top, it still leaked because there was no proper covering."
Desperate to protect her family, Bhawana searched for a tarpaulin to keep the rain out. She eventually found a small one, but it wasn't enough to keep everyone dry.
On rainy nights, she made sure her children had somewhere safe to sleep, even when it meant enduring the leaks herself.
Although the weather has improved, Bhawana's worries are far from over.
The family remains close to the flood-affected riverbank, where authorities have warned residents about the dangers of staying. Yet with no secure alternative, moving somewhere safer feels impossible.
"It is terrifying," she says. "We stay up near the road because the fear of the river is still there."
Their financial situation has also become increasingly desperate. Since the floods, Raju has been unable to work because his employer's operations have closed, leaving the family without a regular income.
Bhawana is particularly concerned about her daughters' health and future. Both girls have visual impairments, and one has been advised to have eye surgery. But uncertainty and fear about the procedure have meant treatment has not yet gone ahead.
For this devoted mother, keeping her children safe, healthy, and in school remains her greatest priority.
Amid these overwhelming challenges, emergency assistance has brought much-needed relief.
Through cbm's wider Nepal emergency response, Bhawana's family has received essential supplies, helping them meet their immediate needs.
With no savings or reliable income, these basic provisions have been a lifeline.
Bhawana expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the assistance, explaining that the support is helping her family of five stay safe and warm.
While their future remains uncertain, this practical help has eased some of the immediate pressures they face.
Bhawana is one of many people receiving assistance through cbm's wider emergency response, supported by generous donors around the world, including New Zealanders.
Across the flood-affected districts of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading, cbm and its local partners are providing emergency supplies, healthcare, rehabilitation, and emotional support.
Already, the response has achieved:
211 households receiving essential emergency assistance, including families with disabilities and those whose homes were completely destroyed.
2,101 people accessing vital healthcare through five integrated health camps, including eye and ear care, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and medicines.
168 people receiving assistive devices to support their mobility and independence.
1,768 people receiving first-aid kits.
234 instances of psychological first aid, emotional support, or counselling reported across the response, helping people cope with the trauma of the floods.
Three Age and Disability Help Desks have also been established to ensure older people and people with disabilities can access the assistance they need.
Despite damaged roads and difficult access to remote communities, cbm and its local partners continue working alongside local authorities to reach families affected by the floods.
For Bhawana, the hope of finding a safe, permanent home remains. She dreams of a future where her children can sleep without fear of the river, continue their education, and receive the medical care they need.
To everyone who supported our Nepal Flood Emergency Appeal – thank you.
Your kindness has contributed to this wider international response, helping bring essential care, practical assistance, and renewed hope to families like Bhawana's.
Together, we are helping vulnerable communities take important steps towards recovery.