Flood-ravaged Nepal calls for climate justice

Key points

• 1,367 people are confirmed dead after the August 26 floods
• 5,132 people remain missing, including 587 foreign nationals, as search and rescue missions continue
• 13,646 people have been saved

“The devastation experienced by Nepal is an extraordinary and stark illustration of the loss and damage increasingly faced by countries vulnerable to climate change.,” UN Resident Coordinator for Nepal, Lila Pieters Yahia, told journalists via video link at UN Headquarters.

Nepal contributes only a very small amount to global greenhouse gas emissions, but is experiencing huge human and economic impacts from climate change, he explained from Kathmandu.

Triggered by melting glaciers, the floods on August 26 affected an estimated 84,270 Nepalese citizens and caused major destruction and damage to important roads, schools, power lines and water systems in the Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading regions of northern Nepal.

Funds for climate vulnerable groups

Nepal has made an approach United Nations Loss and Damage Fundwas founded in 2022 to help developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change.

“Nepal’s call for climate justice reflects principles at the heart of the international climate framework,” he said, noting that the country’s request is now being considered.

“Countries that are highly vulnerable to climate change need adequate and accessible support to respond to the loss and damage that they have caused less.”

Reaching those in need

Over the weekend, Ms Yahia visited some of the worst affected areas, where floodwaters had washed away entire settlements and entire river banks had shifted.

He met families who were continuing to search for their relatives, and added that some of them had witnessed their loved ones being carried away by waves as high as 20 meters.

At the same time, UN agencies and partners report that aid is reaching those most in need, but access to the most vulnerable remains a challenge, he said.

For the first time during emergency operations in Nepal, the World Food Program (WFP) uses cargo drones to deliver food to communities isolated by flooding.

Update on flash appeal

To meet the need, the UN and the Government of Nepal launched $49.6 million in emergency aid on Friday to reach 84,000 people before the end of December, including housing assistance, health services and cash transfers.

As of Wednesday, only $22 million had been received, Ms. Yahia.

Urgent needs include restoring water systems, adding mobile clinics for pregnant women and providing mental health services to serve those affected by the disaster, he added.