Nepal is calling on the international community to share responsibility for the aftermath of a recent disaster that highlights the risks posed by climate change, the country’s foreign minister said.

Shisir Khanal spoke from Kathmandu, emphasizing that although Nepal contributes less than 0.1% to global greenhouse gas emissions, it faces severe existential threats linked to a changing climate. “The world has to share the burden. It should not purely be seen from a charitable perspective,” he said.

Last week, Nepal formally requested $20 million in emergency funding from the United Nations’ Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage. Beyond this immediate aid, the government is seeking ongoing financial and technological support to address the increasing hazards driven by climate change in the Himalayan region.

Khanal stressed that the recent disaster should not be regarded as an isolated incident. The destruction followed an avalanche of rocks and ice that surged through a valley, leaving approximately 2.2 million tonnes of debris in its wake, according to UN estimates. The calamity has resulted in at least 1,294 confirmed fatalities, with more than 5,000 people reported missing.

Looking ahead to broader South Asia, Khanal warned that retreating glaciers and thawing permafrost risk endangering water supplies and livelihoods for nearly two billion people. He added that failure to collaborate on climate adaptation efforts could threaten the region’s civilizational heritage.

Infrastructure and communities in Nepal’s narrow Himalayan river valleys are particularly vulnerable, with roads, tunnels, hydroelectric projects, and residents all at risk from similar future events. “Something like this could recur,” Khanal noted, emphasizing the need for strategic planning regarding the location of settlements.

Despite the disaster’s scale, Khanal sought to reassure tourists that no immediate threat remains. The tourism sector, which accounts for about 6.7% of Nepal’s gross domestic product, was preparing for the trekking season when the flood occurred.

Authorities face challenges in handling the bodies of many victims submerged in water and in various stages of decomposition. To mitigate public health risks, unidentified bodies are being buried in numbered plots while DNA samples are collected to facilitate later identification by relatives.

At Pashupatinath Hindu temple, one of Nepal’s most sacred sites, the government has covered firewood costs for cremating victims. Hundreds of families unable to locate their loved ones have resorted to burning straw and wood effigies as part of mourning rituals. Temple worker Bhim Bahadur Tamang described the practice as essential for helping families find peace in the belief that the souls of the deceased reach a peaceful next life.