August 31, 2026

Canada’s thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the victims. Officials have met directly with family members, listened to their concerns and suggestions, and understand the profound uncertainty and distress they are facing.

Global Affairs Canada is aware of approximately 30 Canadians and permanent residents in Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region whose whereabouts and well-being have not yet been confirmed.  This number may fluctuate as new information becomes available and as officials are able to establish contact with people in affected areas.

Our priority is to locate Canadians and permanent residents who remain unaccounted for and confirm their safety. Consular officials on the ground in Kathmandu, together with colleagues at the Emergency Watch and Response Centre, are working around the clock to establish contact with those affected and support their families.

Our teams are pursuing every available avenue to identify and reach Canadians on the ground. Officials are engaging with trekking companies, hospitals, local police, rescue centres, airlines and other Canadian travel industry partners to gather information, establish contact and help account for affected Canadians.

Canada now has ten officials in Kathmandu, including an RCMP officer and the Deputy High Commissioner of Canada to India, to strengthen our response and coordinate directly with local authorities and partners. Canadian officials are working closely with Nepalese and Chinese counterparts, as well as international partners including the Five Eyes, France, Japan, Italy and Singapore, to share information and support efforts to locate and assist Canadians.  The RCMP has deployed a liaison officer to Nepal to offer assistance and help determine needs for on-the-ground support.  The RCMP is also engaged through the INTERPOL network and has offered support with forensic equipment and expertise.  

We understand that families are facing an extraordinarily difficult and uncertain situation. Officials remain in direct contact with affected families through designated points of contact, are listening to their concerns and suggestions, and will continue to provide updates as information becomes available. The safety and security of Canadians, as well as our personnel working abroad, remain our utmost priority. Canada extends its sincere thanks to Nepali and Chinese officials for their ongoing search and rescue efforts and for the assistance provided to Canadians and all those affected by this devastating event. Our thoughts are with everyone impacted, and we stand in solidarity with them as they recover from this tragedy.  

Canada is also supporting the broader humanitarian response. On August 28, the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), announced $5 million in humanitarian assistance for emergency relief efforts in Nepal. This funding will support life-saving assistance, including emergency food, shelter, water, sanitation and health services, delivered through UN, Red Cross and Canadian NGO partners.

Our Travel Advice and Advisories (TAAs) for Nepal and China were updated on August 31 with regional advisories advising against non-essential travel to the affected areas due to the damage caused by severe flash flooding and mudslides and ongoing risk of further flooding. Canadians should regularly consult the TAAs for up-to-date information about the situation and sign up with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service to receive important updates directly.  

Trained consular officials remain available around the clock to assist Canadians and their families. Full details on services available and the different ways to contact Global Affairs Canada can be found at:  Request emergency assistance – Travel.gc.ca    

We will continue to provide updates as the situation develops and as more information becomes available.