Chabad Leads Search for 30 Missing Jews After Nepal Floods

Approximately 30 individuals of Jewish descent, including two Israeli citizens, are among the 4,400 people reported missing following severe flooding on the China-Nepal border, according to Ynet. The Chabad center in Kathmandu has become a central hub for coordinating search efforts and connecting with relatives worldwide.

Rabbi Chezky and Hani Lifshitz, Chabad emissaries in Nepal, are in constant communication with anxious families globally and are working closely with local authorities. The organization's rescue team has delivered vital supplies, including drinking water, food, and medical equipment, to Kathmandu.

Volunteers are awaiting government authorization to fly into the affected regions, which are only accessible by air due to extensive infrastructure damage and challenging terrain. The difficult conditions are significantly hindering search and rescue operations.

Identifying the deceased is proving to be a major obstacle, preventing the repatriation of bodies for burial according to Jewish tradition. Representatives from the Jewish community are closely monitoring the situation and providing comprehensive support to the families of those affected.