Nepal seeks climate loss-and-damage support after deadly floods
Nepal has asked the UN’s Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage for urgent assistance after floods reportedly killed more than 1,380 people and left about 5,100 missing.
A glacier and rock mass collapse from Langtang Lirung reportedly triggered floods in Nepal’s Bhotekoshi and Trishuli valleys three weeks ago, destroying homes and vital infrastructure. Officials have confirmed more than 1,380 deaths, while about 5,100 people remain missing, according to material published by Al Jazeera.
Nepal’s rapid assessment estimates recovery and long-term reconstruction will cost $4.7 billion. The figure has prompted the government to seek support through the UN Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, framing the disaster as a climate justice issue rather than solely a humanitarian emergency.
Reported pledges include $3.6 million from the United States, $6 million from the United Kingdom and $2.3 million from the European Union. The supplied material does not establish how much of that assistance has been delivered.
Nepal’s position reflects a wider dispute over responsibility for climate-related destruction. The argument advanced in the Al Jazeera opinion article is that wealthy countries bear disproportionate historical responsibility for emissions, while countries such as Nepal face severe consequences despite contributing little to the climate crisis.
The Paris Agreement recognises loss and damage, but accompanying decision text states that the provision does not establish a basis for liability or compensation. A 2025 International Court of Justice ruling has renewed debate over state responsibility and reparations, although the legal implications for Nepal’s claim require further verification.
The request comes as official development assistance reportedly fell 23.1 per cent in 2025. Nepal’s appeal will test whether existing international funding mechanisms can meet large-scale recovery needs, and whether governments are prepared to treat climate-related losses as a question of institutional responsibility as well as emergency relief.
