PRESS RELEASE, Date: September 26, 2026
Comprehensive Support Ranging from Tripartite Medical MOU and Shelter Distribution to Aerial Search Operations and Government Disaster Fund Donation
KATHMANDU, NEPAL — The Um Hong Gil Human Foundation (UHGHF), a leading South Korean international development NGO led by renowned mountaineer Captain Um Hong-gil, is conducting an intensive 9-day emergency relief mission across Nepal from September 23 to October 1, 2026, following devastating flash floods and landslides.
Starting with his arrival in Nepal on September 23, Captain Um has been personally leading on-the-ground relief operations. The foundation’s multi-faceted disaster response encompasses signing a tripartite emergency medical agreement with prominent health institutions, delivering emergency shelter tents, cold-weather apparel, and educational scholarships, as well as executing high-altitude helicopter reconnaissance and emergency medical camps.
Recent flash floods in Nepal have claimed over 1,450 lives, with more than 6,000 individuals still reported missing, including 9 South Korean workers. While UHGHF initially assisted in immediate search and rescue operations during the early phase of the disaster, the foundation has now transitioned into mid-to-long-term relief and reconstruction support as the crisis persists.
“The Himalayas of Nepal are like my second home—a place that allowed me to realize my dreams and overcome countless challenges,” said Captain Um Hong-gil, Standing Director of UHGHF. “We must join hands and extend our warmest support to help the people of Nepal rebuild their lives after losing their families and homes to this sudden catastrophe.”
Captain Um previously provided USD 100,000 in emergency aid during the 2015 Nepal earthquake, personally delivering food and essential supplies as the head of the Korean Red Cross Emergency Relief Team. Responding swiftly to the current crisis, UHGHF initiated fund-raising campaigns in late August, completing two rounds of emergency financial transfers to Nepal with a third round currently underway.
Relief efforts are specifically focused on isolated inland regions—such as Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Gorkha, and Dhading—which have suffered immense destruction but remain largely cut off due to washed-out roads and geographically distant from Kathmandu, leaving them underserved by media coverage and mainstream aid delivery. Captain Um rescheduled his original November visit—initially planned for school inspections—to September 23 to direct disaster response operations in person.
Key Relief Activities Schedule (Sept 24 – Oct 1, 2026)
#    Date & Time    Location & Target    Partner Organizations    Key Activities
1    Sept 25 (Fri)14:00 - 15:00    Location: Kathmandu Model HospitalTarget: ~500 residents in Wards 2 & 3, Uttargaya Rural Municipality    Kathmandu Model Hospital (KMH),Nepal Epilepsy Association (NEA)    Handed over essential pharmaceuticals and ECG equipment; Signed Tripartite MOU for emergency aid, community health, and epilepsy care.
2    Sept 26 (Sat)15:00    Location: Malla Hotel, Kathmandu(Relocated due to road washouts)Target: 15 community leaders, Ward 4, Sahid Lakhan, Gorkha    UHGHF Direct    Distributed 15 disaster-relief tents. Handover location adapted as landslides destroyed access roads. Local leaders expressed gratitude to Korean donors.
3    Sept 27 (Sun)    Location: Belkotgadhi, NuwakotTarget: ~200 residents    UHGHF Direct    Delivered 15 relief tents, winter clothing, and warm blankets for 200 people. Inspected Trishuli River flood damage in nearby Bidur.
4    Sept 29 (Tue)    Location: Sahari Health Center, near Bidur, NuwakotTarget: IDPs in temporary shelters    Grande International Hospital    Conducted a one-day mobile medical camp; Distributed essential medicines and daily necessities.
5    Sept 30 (Wed)    Location: Hydroelectric plant site (missing Koreans), China-Nepal border, Rasuwa isolated areas    UHGHF Direct    Executed helicopter reconnaissance across severe flood zones and airlifted emergency relief supplies to isolated Rasuwa mountain villages.
6    Oct 1 (Thu)    Location: IDP shelters near Tarkeshwor & Swayambhunath, KathmanduTarget: 32 bereaved/affected students, Kathmandu IDPs    Prithivi Narayan Secondary School, Yellow Gumpa, Nurbi Gumpa    Awarded special scholarships to 32 students from Prithivi Narayan School who lost family members; Delivered essential supplies to IDP camps.
Signing of Tripartite Medical Cooperation MOU for Emergency & Long-Term Health Care
On September 24 at Kathmandu Model Hospital, UHGHF signed a landmark Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with KMH and the Nepal Epilepsy Association (NEA) titled “Tripartite MOU for Emergency Relief, Community Health, and Epilepsy Care.”
Beginning with immediate relief for the Rasuwa-Bhotekoshi flood disaster, the agreement establishes a framework expanding into mobile health camps, general medical checkups, epilepsy awareness and clinical referral, and targeted care for vulnerable populations (children, elderly, disabled, and displaced households).
%    UHGHF (International NGO): Provides financial/material grants, leads monitoring, assists coordination with SWC and government bodies, and ensures program sustainability.
%    Nepal Epilepsy Association (NEA - Local Partner): Implements field projects, manages local teams/volunteers, ensures statutory compliance, and handles progress reporting.
%    Kathmandu Model Hospital (KMH - Clinical Partner): Supplies qualified medical personnel, clinical specialist support for mobile camps, and technical guidance for epilepsy care.
Along with the MOU signing, UHGHF donated essential pharmaceuticals and Electrocardiogram (ECG) equipment to KMH, designated specifically for delivery to Wards 2 and 3 of Uttargaya Rural Municipality, benefiting approximately 500 flood victims.
Contribution to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund (PMDRF)
In alignment with the Government of Nepal’s central disaster mitigation policy, Captain Um announced that UHGHF will make a direct financial donation of USD 30,000 to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund (PMDRF). The PMDRF is Nepal’s official national account designed to consolidate domestic and international funds for emergency response and post-disaster reconstruction.
About Um Hong Gil Human Foundation (UHGHF)
Founded in 2008 by legendary mountaineer Captain Um Hong-gil—the first person in the world to scale all 16 highest Himalayan peaks over 8,000 meters—the Um Hong Gil Human Foundation is an international development NGO. UHGHF focuses on educational infrastructure, healthcare, and humanitarian aid in remote Himalayan regions. To date, the foundation has constructed and operates 20 “Human Schools” across Nepal, providing education opportunities to thousands of children.
Media Contacts & Inquiries
Headquarters (South Korea):
Public Relations Team, Um Hong Gil Human Foundation
51 Hyoja-ro 9-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (03043), Republic of Korea
%    Tel: +82-2-736-8850 | Fax: +82-2-736-8858
%    Email: uhfg8848@hanmail.net
%    Website: www.uhf.or.kr
Nepal Branch Office:
Um Hong Gil Human Foundation, Nepal Branch
Ganesh Dev Marg, Kathmandu, Bagmati Province 44600, Nepal
%    Tel: +977-1-401-8604
%    Email: uhgf2009@gmail.com