A global humanitarian group founded in Bermuda has launched an appeal for donations to help people in Nepal affected by a devastating flood this week.

The Adara Group said support will cover immediate emergency needs such as food, shelter, hygiene supplies for women and girls, safe drinking water, first aid and medical care.

The group moved into action after the disaster, which happened when an avalanche of ice and rock triggered massive flash floods that swept through parts of the Nepal and China border on Wednesday.

The BBC reported that close to 400 people were killed, while hundreds — mainly tourists — remain missing from the disaster that destroyed homes, swamped roads and swept away bridges.

Adara, founded in Bermuda in 1998, is part of Nepal's co-ordinated emergency response system and is registered in the education, child protection, medical and health needs-based clusters.

As such, the organisation works alongside government authorities and other organisations to co-ordinate support during emergencies and contribute where it can have the greatest impact.

Adara said that its staff were safe but the Nuwakot District — where its work across seven schools in Ghyangfedi is based — had been badly affected by the disaster.

The organisation’s project sites have not been directly impacted at this stage.

Its risk committee was activated and is working closely with local authorities, community leaders and government agencies as the situation develops.

Locally, donations can be made through Adara Development (Bermuda), a registered charitable trust on the island.

A representative confirmed that an earlier technical issue was resolved, so that residents in Bermuda can directly donate via credit card through the appeal page.

• For more information, e-mail donations@adaragroup.org

• UPDATE: this article has been updated to show that credit card donations from Bermuda can be made directly through the organisation’s appeal page