National Airlines has operated a rapid humanitarian airlift carrying more than 75 tonnes of UNICEF relief cargo from Copenhagen to Kathmandu on a direct Boeing 747 freighter, supporting emergency operations following devastating flash floods in Nepal.
A flight carrying 84 metric tonnes of critical humanitarian supplies landed in Kathmandu on September 4, with support from European Union Humanitarian Aid. The shipment originated at UNICEF’s global supply and logistics hub in Copenhagen and is being distributed to children and families affected by flooding in the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli river basin.
National Airlines said the dedicated B747 freighter operation was mobilised in less than 48 hours, from the initial request through cargo loading and departure. The rapid response required coordination across ground handling, logistics, permits, flight operations and other support services.
The airline said the mission forms part of its ongoing support for humanitarian relief operations in flood-affected areas of Nepal.
Emergency Supplies Move Into Affected Communities
The UNICEF shipment includes supplies covering water, sanitation, health, shelter and education needs.
The cargo includes acute watery diarrhoea kits and diagnostic equipment, water tanks, hygiene kits and water-treatment supplies, tents, winter clothing for infants and children, and educational materials. UNICEF said the supplies are intended to support hundreds of thousands of people affected by the disaster.
Following the aircraft’s arrival, dozens of trucks were mobilised to transport relief items towards some of the worst-affected communities in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading districts. UNICEF teams are working with government authorities and partners to distribute the supplies and provide essential services.
The airlift adds an international air cargo link to UNICEF’s wider logistics response, which has also relied on emergency stocks already positioned in Nepal.
Flash Floods Create Widespread Humanitarian Needs
The emergency follows severe flash floods that struck the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli river basin on August 26.
The flooding damaged homes, roads, bridges, schools, health facilities, water systems and other critical infrastructure, leaving communities in several areas difficult to reach.
UNICEF’s latest assessment puts the number of people affected at around 65,000, including approximately 22,100 children, across Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading.
The organisation has warned that damage to water and sanitation infrastructure is increasing the risk of waterborne disease. UNICEF estimates that at least 22,000 children urgently require safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene support.
UNICEF has been using pre-positioned emergency supplies to respond since the floods struck, with additional international cargo now arriving through the Copenhagen supply hub.
Focus On Water, Health And Child Protection
The humanitarian response extends beyond the immediate delivery of relief cargo.
UNICEF has dispatched thousands of hygiene kits, jerrycans, buckets, water-treatment supplies and tarpaulins to support affected communities. The organisation is also conducting disease surveillance, promoting hygiene practices and working to prevent outbreaks.
Medical and nutrition supplies include newborn kits, ready-to-use therapeutic food, micronutrient products and medical tents. UNICEF is also providing psychosocial support, child protection services and assistance to help children continue their education following the destruction and disruption caused by the floods.
Alice Akunga, UNICEF Representative to Nepal, said the supplies had arrived at a critical time for children and families whose homes, schools and essential services had been severely affected.
“Thousands of children have seen their lives turned upside down in a matter of minutes,” Akunga said.
Rapid Air Cargo Response
The National Airlines operation highlights the role of dedicated freighter capacity in humanitarian logistics, particularly when conventional road and infrastructure networks have been disrupted.
By connecting UNICEF’s Copenhagen logistics hub directly with Kathmandu, the B747 freighter provided a rapid long-haul link for emergency supplies before the cargo was transferred to road transport for onward distribution.
National Airlines said the operation required the rapid deployment of ground support services, logistics arrangements, permits, flight operations and cargo handling at short notice.
The European Union supported the flight as part of its wider humanitarian assistance for Nepal. The EU has also highlighted the need to strengthen disaster preparedness, early-warning systems and local response capabilities as climate-related risks increase.
With infrastructure across affected districts still damaged, the relief effort depends on a combination of international airlift capacity, airport handling, road transport and local distribution networks.
The September 4 operation demonstrates how humanitarian supply chains can link a global logistics hub with a disaster-affected country and rapidly move essential cargo towards communities in need.
