Kathmandu: Nepal’s call for financial compensation following recent deadly floods underlines the need to help countries that contribute the least to climate change but are increasingly grappling with its most lethal consequences, the top UN official in the country said on Wednesday. The devastating floods that occurred on August 26 have resulted in the confirmation of 1,367 deaths, while 5,132 people remain missing, including 587 foreign nationals. Rescue missions have successfully saved 13,646 individuals.
According to United Nations, the devastation Nepal has experienced is an extraordinary illustration of the losses and damages that climate-vulnerable countries are facing. UN Resident Coordinator for Nepal, Lila Pieters Yahia, highlighted via video link at UN Headquarters that despite Nepal’s minimal contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions, the nation is suffering profound human and economic impacts from climate change. The floods, triggered by a melting glacier, have affected approximately 84,270
Nepalis and caused extensive destruction to vital infrastructure in the Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading regions.
Nepal has sought assistance from the UN Loss and Damage Fund, established in 2022 to support developing countries particularly vulnerable to climate change effects. Yahia emphasized that Nepal’s plea for climate justice aligns with the core principle of the international climate framework, highlighting the need for adequate and accessible support for countries bearing the brunt of climate change impacts they did little to cause.
Over the weekend, Ms. Yahia visited some of the most severely affected areas, witnessing the devastation firsthand. She encountered families still searching for missing relatives, many of whom were swept away by 20-meter-high waves. Despite these challenges, UN agencies and partners have reported that aid is reaching those most in need, although access to the most vulnerable remains problematic.
In a groundbreaking effort during this emergency operation, the World Food Prog
ramme (WFP) deployed cargo drones to deliver food to communities isolated by the floods. To address these urgent needs, the UN and the Government of Nepal launched a flash appeal for $49.6 million to reach 84,000 people by the end of December, providing shelter, healthcare, and cash support. As of Wednesday, only $22 million has been received, underscoring the urgent requirements for restoring water systems, deploying mobile clinics for pregnant women, and providing mental healthcare to those affected by the disaster.