- Prime Minister Balendra Shah plans to attend the 81st UN General Assembly to highlight Nepal’s flood damage and urgent climate change risks.
- Nepal has requested $20 million from the Loss and Damage Fund to support relief and rehabilitation following recent floods in the Bhotekoshi area.
- Shah aims to secure international climate finance and advocate for climate justice for nations facing severe Himalayan environmental disasters.
- The government seeks international support for reconstruction while stressing the importance of improved domestic disaster preparedness and early warning systems.
KATHMANDU, Nepal: Prime Minister Balendra Shah is preparing for a possible visit to the United States to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, where Nepal is expected to highlight the damage caused by the recent floods in the Bhotekoshi–Trishuli area and the country’s vulnerability to climate-related disasters.
A source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said preparations were underway for Shah’s possible participation in the General Assembly. The Prime Minister’s Office has asked the ministry to begin preparations for the visit, although the government has not yet made a final decision.
The Cabinet had earlier decided that Nepal would participate in the General Assembly under the leadership of Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal. If Shah attends, Khanal is expected to be part of the delegation.
The visit would be Shah’s first foreign trip since becoming prime minister.
Flood damage likely to be raised
Nepal is preparing to present the impact of the Bhotekoshi floods at international forums, including the damage caused to communities and infrastructure in the affected areas.
Speaking in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Shah said Nepal should inform the international community about the problems caused by climate-related disasters.
If he attends the General Assembly, Shah is expected to raise issues including floods, landslides, glacial risks and the vulnerability of communities in the Himalayan region.
The government is also seeking international support for disaster recovery and greater access to climate-related financing.
However, officials will need to distinguish between the immediate causes of the Bhotekoshi floods and the broader effects of climate change. Establishing a direct link between a particular flood and climate change requires supporting scientific and meteorological evidence.
Nepal seeks $20 million from Loss and Damage Fund
Nepal has submitted a proposal seeking US$20 million from the Loss and Damage Fund for damage associated with the Bhotekoshi floods.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment, the proposal submitted to the fund’s secretariat contains details of the damage and the assistance sought by Nepal.
Ministry Secretary Dr. Rajendra Mishra said the requested amount was being sought as assistance rather than compensation.
The proposal will first be reviewed by the fund’s secretariat before being forwarded to its board for consideration. The board will assess the request according to the fund’s procedures before making a decision.
Government officials said the board is scheduled to meet in December. The timing means Nepal may have to wait before receiving any funding approved under the proposal.
Reconstruction costs expected to be higher
The $20 million being requested from the Loss and Damage Fund would not cover the full cost of recovery if the damage assessment shows extensive losses to infrastructure.
Roads, bridges, houses, hydropower facilities and other infrastructure have been affected by floods in the region. The total cost of repair and reconstruction will depend on a detailed assessment by the government.
Federal, provincial and local authorities will need to collect and verify information on damage, affected households and reconstruction requirements.
Disaster preparedness remains a concern
The floods have also highlighted the need to strengthen disaster preparedness in vulnerable areas
Nepal faces recurring risks from floods and landslides, as well as hazards associated with changing temperatures, glaciers and glacial lakes.
Improved early-warning systems, river monitoring, risk mapping, emergency communication and rescue capacity could help authorities respond more quickly when disasters occur.
For communities living in areas vulnerable to floods and landslides, the effectiveness of these systems depends not only on technology but also on whether warnings reach residents in time and whether local authorities have the resources and trained personnel to respond.
Funding request awaits decision
Nepal’s $20 million request remains subject to review and approval by the Loss and Damage Fund. The amount requested should therefore not be treated as funding already secured by the government.
The government will have to substantiate the request with information on the scale of the disaster, the people affected, infrastructure losses and the proposed use of any funding received.
If Shah attends the UN General Assembly, the government is expected to use the international platform to present Nepal’s concerns over disaster losses and seek support for recovery and longer-term climate resilience.
For communities affected by the Bhotekoshi floods, however, the immediate priorities remain rescue, relief and rehabilitation. A comprehensive assessment of the damage will be necessary before the government can determine the full cost of recovery and reconstruction.
