Australia announces an additional AUD 15 million for Nepal’s flood recovery, infrastructure reconstruction, essential services and disaster resilience, bringing its recent assistance to AUD 26 million.
Australia has announced an additional AUD 15 million in assistance for Nepal’s recovery and reconstruction following the devastating floods that affected the country in August. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the funding during bilateral talks with Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal in Melbourne. The new assistance will support relief and early recovery efforts and strengthen Nepal’s resilience to future disasters.
The additional funding will help rebuild infrastructure damaged or destroyed by the floods, restore access to essential services and strengthen early warning systems. Australia said the measures are intended to support Nepal’s recovery while reducing the risks and impact of future floods and other disasters.
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The latest commitment supplements AUD 11 million that Australia had already provided for immediate emergency response following the disaster. This earlier assistance supported humanitarian relief through Australian non-governmental organisations, the World Food Programme and other organisations working on the ground. Australia also provided specialist drone support to assist Nepal’s search and rescue operations.
With the latest announcement, Australia’s recent assistance for Nepal’s flood response and recovery reaches AUD 26 million. The Australian government has also noted that Australians have contributed more than AUD 20 million through appeals by the Emergency Action Alliance, the Red Cross and other major Australian NGOs.
The floods have caused extensive loss of life and damage to infrastructure across Nepal. The country has since shifted from active search and rescue operations toward rehabilitation and reconstruction, with authorities focusing on restoring roads, bridges and other essential infrastructure.
During the Melbourne meeting, Khanal thanked the Australian government and people for their humanitarian assistance and highlighted the importance of international support for Nepal’s recovery. He also called for stronger cooperation on climate adaptation, early warning systems, disaster preparedness and climate-resilient infrastructure, given the shared climate vulnerabilities of the two countries.
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The two foreign ministers also discussed broader bilateral cooperation, including education, trade, foreign direct investment, technology transfer, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, tourism, labour mobility and direct air connectivity. Khanal also raised issues concerning Nepali students in Australia and sought favourable consideration under recent student visa policy changes.
Australia and Nepal have longstanding development and people-to-people ties. Australia’s 2026–27 development assistance to Nepal is estimated at AUD 23.7 million, apart from the additional emergency recovery support announced following the floods.