Nepal Seeks Global Aid for Recovery After Devastating Floods

Nepal's Call for International Support

Kathmandu, Sep 3: On Thursday, the Nepali government informed foreign diplomats that it would seek additional international aid for the recovery and rebuilding of infrastructure affected by the recent floods in the Bhote Koshi region.

As of Thursday noon, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) reported that the death toll from the floods in Rasuwa had reached 1,252, with 4,216 individuals still unaccounted for.

The floods have inflicted severe damage on infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and both public and private buildings, as well as hydropower projects along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river corridors.

The Nepali government is actively seeking both domestic and international assistance for the rescue and relief efforts for those affected, particularly for individuals who remain unreachable, many of whom are thought to be trapped in hydropower project tunnels.

However, the extensive infrastructure damage will necessitate substantial additional resources for reconstruction. This incident marks the second major disaster resulting in significant loss of life and infrastructure damage since last year's Gen-Z movement, which claimed 77 lives and caused property damage exceeding NPR 84 billion, according to government data.

Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal stated during a briefing to the diplomatic community in Kathmandu that the government would pursue international assistance for recovery and reconstruction after conducting a Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA).

The briefing was attended by ambassadors, heads of diplomatic missions, and representatives from international organizations such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and the United Nations, as noted by the minister's secretariat.

Minister Khanal mentioned that a preliminary assessment is currently underway to evaluate the damage to homes, roads, bridges, hydropower projects, and other critical infrastructure caused by the floods. The PDNA will help determine the full extent of the damage and the resources needed for recovery and reconstruction.

“Initial estimates suggest that a significant amount of resources will be necessary to rebuild the infrastructure affected by the Bhote Koshi floods,” Khanal remarked. “Once the detailed assessment is finalized, the government will formally communicate the required resources to international partners and request assistance for recovery and reconstruction.”

He also assured that the government would manage international aid with transparency, accountability, and clearly defined priorities. Earlier this week, discussions were held regarding an international donor conference to garner support for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the damaged infrastructure.

Nepal had previously organized an international conference to seek support following the catastrophic earthquake in 2015, where the donor community pledged approximately US$ 4.1 billion.

As rescue operations continue, Foreign Minister Khanal emphasized that the safety and welfare of foreign nationals is a top priority for the Government of Nepal. Currently, 583 foreign nationals remain unaccounted for, according to the NDRRMA.

“The Foreign Ministry is in constant coordination with the NDRRMA, Nepal Police, Nepal Tourism Board, Nepali diplomatic missions abroad, and the families of foreign nationals reported missing,” Khanal stated.

He added that the Emergency Control Room established at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nepali diplomatic missions abroad is assisting in providing verified information to the families of missing foreign nationals, facilitating identification processes, and arranging repatriation when necessary.

Minister Khanal expressed gratitude to diplomatic missions for their assistance in providing information about their nationals who have been reported missing, noting that such information is crucial for search, verification, and identification efforts.

Describing the floods as a “Himalayan tsunami,” Khanal indicated that the Nepali government is investigating the causes and development of the disaster with the help of relevant technical experts.

He emphasized that the Bhote Koshi disaster should not only be viewed as an immediate humanitarian crisis but also in light of the increasing climate risks faced by the Himalayan region.

“Despite Nepal's minimal contribution to global emissions, the people of Nepal are disproportionately affected by the consequences of a warming Himalaya,” Minister Khanal stated.

He underscored the importance of translating commitments related to climate justice, effective early warning systems, disaster preparedness, and resilient reconstruction into actionable practices.

“In this regard, Nepal has already reached out to the co-chairs of the Loss and Damage Fund Board under the United Nations, requesting immediate assistance,” Khanal concluded.