In the wake of devastating floods in Nepal, STEP swiftly mobilized to support affected weavers by assessing damage and distributing essential supplies, including bedding and food. With many families displaced, these relief efforts are crucial for the community’s recovery during this challenging time.
Nepal Flooding
Many parts of Nepal have been severely affected by recent flooding and landslides, triggered by heavy rainfall at the end of September. The devastating natural disasters caused significant infrastructure damage, displacing thousands of families and killing more than 200 people while also rendering travel unsafe and uncertain due to extensive harm to major highways and bridges. In Kathmandu, riverside settlements were flooded and local businesses and agriculture suffered losses as floodwaters affected shops and fields, exacerbating economic vulnerabilities. The flooding occurred just before the festive season of Dashain, affecting thousands of weavers’ holiday plans, as many would normally leave Kathmandu to visit their families in rural areas.
Recognizing the urgent need for assistance, STEP Nepal conducted a survey to evaluate the impact of the flooding on various carpet weaving workshops and dyeing centers. The assessment revealed significant damage in two workshops, one of which urgently required bedding and food supplies. In response, STEP organized a relief distribution program at the affected workshop, focusing on delivering essential supplies to support those whose living quarters had been severely impacted.
STEP’s Immediate Relief Efforts
In the wake of the floods, the dedicated STEP team in Nepal quickly assessed the damage within local workshops and centers. Their relief efforts prioritized providing essential supplies to weavers. On October 8, STEP distributed bedding materials, food supplies, hygiene items, and fire extinguishers for safety at the workshops.
Bhawani Karki, one of the workshop owners, emphasized the importance of this assistance, stating, “Label STEP has always been very supportive towards us. The food, bedding, and medicinal relief is crucial for us, as most of the things here were destroyed.”
“We were unable to work for many days, and our food items were also destroyed. We weren’t expecting the flood to destroy our rooms, but all of a sudden, the floodwater was everywhere. People from Label STEP came, and they checked our rooms, and now they provided us with the things we needed. This is a big help for us as we are not going back to our villages during Dashain…”
—Weaver, S.M., age 42
“We tried to dry our beddings and clothes, but the bedding was destroyed by the dirty water. We are very glad and happy that today Label STEP came here to support us. They understood our problems and gave us what we needed.”
—Weaver, age 38
“The flood had disrupted our work and destroyed all our things. We saved the carpet, but there was nothing left in our rooms… The beddings will be very helpful, especially now since the winter season is coming.”
—Weaver, age 38
Challenges Beyond Relief
The challenges weavers face extend far beyond the immediate need for emergency aid. As STEP mobilized to assess the impact of the recent floods, several weavers from the Madhesh region raised a systemic issue resulting in their lack of official citizenship documentation. This problem only compounds their hardships during emergencies—and in general—as they cannot access government support services.
Karki, the workshop owner, explained, “They are living without an identity in their own country. They have no bank accounts, either. I have helped them create a savings account at a local microfinance institution, but I had to submit my citizenship. I had to make a lot of effort for their children’s school admission and to get them vaccinations.”
STEP’s close interaction with the artisans and workshop owners is what enables local teams to swiftly identify barriers like citizenship issues and respond with practical solutions—such as assisting in the opening of bank accounts, facilitating access to essential services, and access to health care. It is this deep engagement and problem-solving approach that forms the core of STEP’s work, ensuring that the solutions address not just immediate relief, but long-term challenges as well.
“They are living without an identity in their own country. They have no bank accounts, either. I have helped them create a savings account at a local microfinance institution, but I had to submit my citizenship. I had to make a lot of effort for their children’s school admission and to get them vaccinations.”
—Workshop owner, Bhawani Karki
Rebuilding Efforts in Progress
As the flooding crisis continues, STEP’s Nepal team’s compassionate approach has provided essential support to the weaving community in Nepal. Their commitment to the artisans and understanding of systemic challenges remain crucial in the ongoing recovery efforts. While the immediate response has been vital, the long-term rebuilding process will require further collaboration, particularly in addressing the legal status and vulnerabilities of many workers.
Read more about the Nepal Flooding Crisis on the STEP Instagram
