Nepal intends to submit a claim to the United Nations Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, seeking roughly $20 million in assistance following catastrophic flooding that occurred last month. The country plans to base its request on a recently published study by World Weather Attribution that establishes climate change as a contributing factor to the disaster.
The flooding and associated landslides devastated border regions shared with Tibet, resulting in approximately 1,400 deaths and 6,150 missing persons as of Wednesday. The disaster was triggered by a collapse of rock and glacier ice near Langtang Lirung mountain in the Himalayas. According to the World Weather Attribution research, the event resulted from a combination of factors including elevated temperatures, glacier thinning, permafrost thawing, and pre-existing geological weaknesses. Scientists determined that July and August temperatures in the area were roughly 1.5 degrees Celsius warmer due to human influence on climate, while regional glaciers have been thinning by approximately half a meter annually.
Nepal’s government has stated the country requires around $5 billion for reconstruction efforts. Officials have prepared supporting documentation including satellite imagery and drone footage to substantiate their claim. The World Weather Attribution report provides the most compelling evidence that climate change played a significant destabilizing role in the disaster, according to Nepali authorities.
Competition for limited resources poses a challenge, as nearly 120 countries have already submitted claims totaling approximately $3 billion, while the fund has less than $400 million available for distribution. Officials responsible for administering the fund are scheduled to convene in December to evaluate requests and determine whether to provide expedited assistance to Nepal. Nepali Prime Minister Balendra Shah is expected to address the United Nations General Assembly next week to discuss the disaster and advocate for climate justice considerations in the distribution of recovery funds.
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