EMMS International

03/09/2026

One week on from the devastating floods, urgent relief is providing a lifeline but the challenging conditions remain for so many. Teams on the ground in Nepal have reported: "Survivors are traumatized. Fear hangs heavy in the air, with families too shaken to come forward for aid, haunted by the thought of being caught in another flood. Their stories are filled with immense loss and the lasting scars of this disaster. There were many children and elderly in hysteria and shock, they could not turn off the sound of the waves in their heads and could not stop repeating what they saw."

Vital medical support is now reaching these communities where it is so vitally needed. Every bit of support is needed and appreciated. Our latest update one week on from the floods provides an overview of the type of relief and care being delivered.

One week on from the flash floods that devastated villages close to the Nepal-China border, aid teams on the ground continue to reach and support survivors. The floods were triggered when a mass of glacial ice and rock detached from the massive Langtang Lirung – A mountain in the Himalayas that st...

02/09/2026

The current disaster in Nepal is beyond imagination. Thank you for trusting EMMS to carry your support for Nepal to where it is needed most, where our partners are helping their bewildered and grieving compatriots with comfort, food, essential items and healthcare.

Our strong relationships in the country have been developed over quarter of a century of partnership between EMMS staff and colleagues in Nepal. Through this sad time and difficult time for Nepal we thank you for your support of Nepali people.

In her monthly blog, EMMS CEO Cathy Ratcliff reflects on a longstanding relationship with Nepal and the urgency to act during this time of unimaginable devastation.It’s top of our minds in EMMS. Working with our partners, who are putting aside their shock to mount emergency relief, playing their p...

01/09/2026

NEPAL EMERGENCY APPEAL

In the latest update from partners on the ground in Nepal, aid is getting through to communities. Ongoing support is critical to ensure aid continues to reach those who need it.

Initial response activities have focused on displaced families in Nuwakot where about 1,500 displaced individuals are currently taking shelter. Relief assistance has included food, clothing, mosquito nets, first-aid supplies, water-filter buckets, body bags, and other essential items. A Medical Health Camp has been set up to provide primary healthcare services, treatment for injuries and common illnesses, essential medicines, health education, referrals, and support for vulnerable groups including children, older people, and persons with disabilities.

Assessment teams continue to gather information from affected communities to guide evidence-based response planning. At the same time, procurement of additional food and non-food relief items, including hygiene kits, is underway to support the next phase of assistance.

Donate to the emergency appeal at https://emms.donorsupport.co/page/FUNQDRREUUB

30/08/2026

EMERGENCY APPEAL FOR NEPAL

The devastating floods in Nepal have left communities cut off and infrastructure destroyed. We are in contact with partners on the ground responding to the crisis, bringing essential water, sanitation and hygiene supplies to communities impacted. Medical and counselling teams have also been deployed to support people's needs. The rescue efforts continue and more vital supplies are urgently needed.

Please give all that you can to help these communities in this time of need. Our partners in Nepal are on the ground now and they need your support. Please give what you can today.

"We were traveling from Pokhara to Kathmandu by vehicle on 26 August 2026. Early in the morning, at around 7:00am, we passed the Dhading Besi Bridge, located alongside the Prithvi Highway and connecting Dhading to the main road. By approximately 10:00am, I heard the reports of devastating floods tha...

27/08/2026

We are devastated by the current situation in Nepal. The whole EMMS community sends thoughts and prayers to our friends and colleagues who are affected by and working through the impact of this crisis. We are in contact with our partners in the country and developing plans to support.

25/08/2026

We were sad to learn of the death of former EMMS CEO Robin Arnott on 11 August. Robin had a long history with EMMS, from taking part in charitable activities in 1986 to ten years as CEO from 1997-2007.

Robin dedicated so much of his life to EMMS and to improving healthcare for people in some of the world’s most under-served communities. In keeping with this lifelong commitment, his wish was that donations be made to support EMMS’s ongoing work in Malawi.

In respect of this wish, we have set up a donation page for anyone wishing to give in Robin’s memory, and to help continue the vital work he cared so deeply about, ensuring his legacy lives on through better healthcare and hope for these communities.

Thank you for remembering Robin and for honouring his life in this special way.

Robin dedicated so much of his life to EMMS and to improving healthcare for people in some of the world’s most underserved communities. His wish was that donations would be made to support EMMS’s work in Malawi. By giving in Robin’s memory, you can help continue the work he cared so deeply abo...

20/08/2026

We were pleased to be able to support the purchase of a rescue boat and equipment including life jackets, helmets and rope, to provide a potential life-line for people in Nepal.

Monsoon rains leading to rapid river floods and landslides can cut of vital transport routes, making it impossible for people to safely access the services they need. The newly acquired rescue boat addresses a critical gap in the emergency response capacity and will now enable timely evacuation and rescue when this is needed.

A newly acquired rubber rescue boat and equipment, including life jackets, helmets and rope, have significantly strengthened the emergency response capacity in the Baglung District of Nepal. Baglung…

07/08/2026

EMMS was a pioneer in the early days of the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI). By 2025, it was the 11th most comprehensive publisher in the world, and today we continue to openly publish the spend on every project that receives government funding so that anyone can essentially "follow the money" from payments paid to actual spend on the ground.

With UK government funding sadly falling and the end of UK Aid Match, many charities are facing new challenges as we keep focused on delivering the vital work we do, but needing to source new mechanisms for supporting this work.

In this blog, EMMS International Cathy Ratcliff reflects on EMMS journey from pioneering transparency in aid spending to expanding its fundraising potential.

In this new regular blog, EMMS CEO, Cathy Ratcliff welcomes new staff and reflects on pioneering work with former colleagues.Some of our supporters and partners may have noticed how busy we’ve been in EMMS lately – though this is no different from usual! We’ve been welcoming two new senior sta...

29/07/2026

“As a doctor, I know there are times when we cannot cure disease, but we can always relieve suffering, preserve dignity, and help people find meaning and comfort. It is often the small things: a child's smile after pain is controlled, a parent's relief when they finally feel heard, or a family finding the courage to have important conversations that remind me why this work matters.

"The Sunita Project showed me that good palliative care is not created by one individual or one organisation. It is built through collaboration, trust, and listening to communities. It also reinforced my belief that every healthcare professional, regardless of their specialty, should have the knowledge and confidence to provide compassionate, person-centred care."

Amrita Shrestha, who led EMMS International International's Sunita Project, recently received a Fellowship from the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. In this powerful piece, Amrita talks about her motivation and inspiration to do the incredible work she does.

From a three-day basic introduction to palliative care course at Patan Hospital in Central Nepal to Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, Amrita Shrestha’s journey has been…

24/07/2026

EMMS CEO, Cathy Ratcliff, was delighted to welcome athletes from Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia to Glasgow ahead of the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony, and to celebrate their participation - and hopefully success - in the Games.

Cathy joined the event hosted by @ and Malawi Partnership to celebrate the partnership and connection between Scotland and Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia.

EMMS has long-standing relationships with partners in all three of the Africa nations, including recent work in building the health workforce, developing palliative care services, and delivering resilient, cost saving hospital infrastructure.
https://www.emms.org/post/emms-joins-first-minister-in-welcoming-malawi-rwanda-and-zambia-to-scotland-for-games