NEPAL-CHINA FLOOD 2026
NEPAL-CHINA FLOOD 2026: CREATION JUSTICE AND FRONTLINE RESPONSE
This article is jointly contributed by CHARIS (Caritas Humanitarian Aid and Relief Initiatives, Singapore) and Caritas Singapore, the overseas humanitarian arm and the social mission arm of the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore.
The Nepal-China flood of 2026 is one of many shocking examples of the sheer destructive scale of global ecological collapse, and the need to pay attention and act now.
Climate change intensifies El Niño weather patterns, which further drives extreme weather events such as prolonged droughts and intense heatwaves. In Nepal’s case, the melting permafrost led to the destabilisation and eventual sudden collapse of a glacier. It was plain for all to see that the global ecological crisis leads to the disproportionate suffering of people in the Global South.
The flash flood washed away entire hillside settlements, contaminated drinking water, and destroyed agricultural livelihoods. At least 1500 people lost their lives, and over 6000 are still missing. For displaced families, survival hinged on immediate access to dry rations, clean drinking water, and safe shelter.
But did you know that Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) have been occurring with increasing frequency and intensity for decades? Most recently, in Nepal, two glacier lakes burst in 2024, and then another two in 2025, leading to huge damage and losses.
Listening to the Cry of the Earth and Cry of the Poor
It has been 11 years since Pope Francis released the encyclical ‘Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home’. It has been read by millions of people across faiths and borders. Yet, the countless climate disasters of 2026 across the world are painful signals of the coming of severe and irreversible trespassing of ecological tipping points.
The structural dysfunctions of the world economy and models of growth continue to prove incapable of ensuring respect for the environment and for people. In this system, which tends to devour everything which stands in the way of increased profits, whatever is fragile, like the environment, is defenseless before the interests of a deified market, which become the only rule. (Evangelii Gaudium, 56). Hence, let us begin by listening attentively to the fragile - the cry of the earth when destruction happens, and the cry of the poor who suffer the consequences of that destruction.
Responding with Solidarity and Care
As ecological vulnerability deepens across the world, listening is not enough. A deep conviction to ecological conversion can only really manifest when we respond with solidarity and care, especially to at-risk communities.
CHARIS—the Catholic Church's overseas humanitarian arm in Singapore—channels our community's compassion into frontline emergency aid. Responding in solidarity, the CHARIS relief network has delivered essential aid through trusted partners on the ground:
- Caritas Nepal: Delivering essential aid through integrated WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), safe shelter, and sustainable livelihood projects.
- Humanity Matters: Contributed funding to house children orphaned by the floods.
Long-Term Institutional Reform
On the September 2026 occasion of the Plenary Session of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, Pope Leo XIV emphasised that “We cannot respond to these challenges only after disaster has already struck. We need to move from emergency response to prevention, from vulnerability to preparedness, and from short-term measures to a wise and far-sighted vision for humanity”.
To do so we need to reform the deepest roots of our present failures: our technological and economic development and consumption priorities. As Pope Francis emphasised, “it is easy to accept the idea of infinite or unlimited growth, which proves so attractive to economists, financiers and experts in technology” because it is “based on the lie that there is an infinite supply of the earth’s goods, and this leads to the planet being squeezed dry beyond every limit” (LS, 106). Consequently, the poor, vulnerable and the environment are being trampled underfoot to feed an insatiable greed for money, consumption and power.
We are all called through our unique ministries to live “our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork” (LS, 217). That includes being missionaries to advocate for creation justice and reform communities and institutions for the service of the common good:
- Stay informed: Understand how climate changes affect not just the environment but also people and communities. Let this awareness guide our choices and actions.
- Speak up for sustainable practices. Encourage sustainable or environmentally responsible options in our workplaces, schools, parishes, communities, or at home. Small changes can make a collective difference.
- Consume more mindfully. Consider carpooling or taking public transport, going meat-free on some days, buying only what we need, reducing waste.
- Support communities most affected by climate change. Contribute to organisations and initiatives that help vulnerable communities affected by climate change – volunteer, donate, or advocate.
- Choose to invest in responsible options. Review and reconsider where and how we invest our savings and funds, and where possible, consider investing in funds and institutions that take their environmental and social responsibilities seriously.
Renewing Our Personal Convictions
“The floods in Nepal remind us that there is no “somewhere else” in our common home. We are one humanity, sharing one planet and responsibility for one another. Care for creation and care for our neighbour are inseparable,” said Dr. Jeyaraj Prema Raj, Chairman of the Disaster Relief and Missions Committee (CHARIS). Together, as the Catholic community in Singapore, we invite you to pray with us, support the recovery efforts in Nepal through your means, and embed care for creation in our lives.
Learn more and journey with us:
Join the Care for Creation movement with Caritas Singapore: caritas-singapore.org/careforcreation-caritas/
Support frontline disaster response and overseas humanitarian relief with CHARIS.