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Education International (EI) has launched a call for solidarity to support its affiliates in Nepal as they assist teachers and students affected by devastating floods and landslides that caused widespread destruction in the districts of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Gorkha, and Dhading on 26 August.

The catastrophic flash floods swept away everything in their path – homes, schools, bridges, and other infrastructure – devastating entire communities. Tens of thousands of people have been affected, with more than 1,200 people having lost their lives and thousands of others still missing.

Education International, which represents four member organisations in Nepal – the Nepal Teachers' Association (NTA), the Nepal National Teachers' Association (NNTA), the Nepal School Employees Council (NSEC), and the Institutional Schools Teachers Union (ISTU) – expressed its deepest sympathy and solidarity with all teachers, students, education support personnel, and communities affected.

Reacting to the tragedy, EI General Secretary David Edwards declared: “Our heartfelt solidarity is with all those facing loss, uncertainty, and displacement, including families grieving loved ones and those whose homes, schools, and livelihoods have been destroyed or severely affected.”

The education sector has been particularly affected by the disaster: numerous schools have been destroyed or rendered unusable, leaving thousands of students and teachers without access to classes. Accounts have also begun to emerge of education staff acting swiftly to protect students, helping to save many lives.

The NNTA and the NTA have reached out to EI to request support and assistance for the affected teachers, students, and school communities. The unions reported that at least 22 teachers and more than 300 students are currently missing or deceased. At least 18 schools have been completely destroyed, and dozens of other establishments suffered partial damage. More than 19,000 students have been directly affected by the disaster, many of whom have lost their parents, homes, and schools.

The figures are appalling, but NNTA President Hansha Bahadur Shahi warns that the reality is very likely much worse: “The situation on the ground is more serious than the preliminary figures indicate. Entire settlements have been swept away, and many affected areas remain difficult to access. There are also continuing fears of further flooding. We are still collecting and verifying information to establish the full extent of the damage and loss of life.”

“Thousands of students have been deprived of their fundamental right to education”, reported Soma Nath Giri, NTA President. “With school buildings, teaching and learning materials, and educational infrastructure destroyed, there is an urgent and growing demand for emergency assistance from the affected districts.”

At a time when schools should provide stability, safety, and hope, many students, teachers, and education support personnel are now confronting immense challenges. “During this difficult time, we pay tribute to the teachers, education support personnel, first responders, volunteers, and local communities who are working tirelessly to provide assistance and support to those in need,” stated Anand Singh, EIAP regional director. “Their commitment and compassion are a powerful reminder that resilience grows through solidarity, care, and collective action.”

The two union presidents, Hansa Bahadur Shahi and Soma Nath Giri, identified the most urgent needs for the teacher unions: “The immediate priorities are to ensure the safety and protection of school-age children, establish temporary learning facilities, and provide psychosocial support to children, teachers, and affected families. Education must be restored as soon as possible, alongside relief, protection, and recovery efforts.”

No education community should have to face such devastation alone. The strength of the global education union movement lies in its solidarity, transforming concern into meaningful support that helps communities meet urgent needs, restore access to education, rebuild schools, and renew hope. As affected communities begin the challenging process of recovery and reconstruction, Education International reaffirms its unwavering commitment to standing with every education worker impacted by this disaster and to safeguarding the right to education for all learners.