Nepal has requested $5 billion in urgent financial assistance from the United Nations’ special fund for climate-disaster recovery to address the extensive damage caused by recent glacial collapses and flooding. Maheshwar Dhakal, the climate change chief at Nepal’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Environment, said the catastrophic event was exacerbated by human-driven climate change, highlighting the disproportionate impact of greenhouse gas emissions from wealthier nations on vulnerable countries like Nepal.
Speaking in an interview on Monday, Dhakal framed the disaster as an example of global inequity, stating, “Those who have contributed the least are suffering the most.” He shared a letter from the Nepali government sent to the climate fund’s board, urging swift support to cope with the escalating climate impacts. The letter emphasized that timely assistance would demonstrate the fund’s ability to respond with “humanity, speed, flexibility, and solidarity.”
The United Nations climate fund, established in 2023 after years of international negotiations, is designed to help countries manage losses and damages linked to climate change. However, the fund faces significant financial constraints. To date, it has received pledges totaling $820 million—far short of the $2.8 billion requested by 119 countries impacted by climate disasters. This has left the fund ill-prepared to address large-scale emergencies like Nepal’s recent flooding.
Richard Sherman, a South African board member and former co-chairman of the fund, highlighted the challenges of funding such disaster relief efforts. He noted that the countries most responsible for historic greenhouse gas emissions have not sufficiently contributed, saying, “There is no fund that is able to respond to this at the moment.” Sherman added that without the participation of major emitters such as the United States, financial resources remain limited, with Nepal’s potential allocation likely to be only about $20 million.
Nepal’s recent flooding occurred after a glacier ruptured and collapsed into a valley, triggering widespread devastation and leaving thousands dead or missing. While scientists caution that climate change may not be the sole cause, the region’s rapidly warming climate and thawing permafrost are believed to have played a significant role. Dhakal expressed strong certainty regarding climate change’s influence on the disaster.
The U.S. government has faced criticism for withdrawing from key international climate agreements and funds. The Trump administration exited the Paris Agreement and pulled out of the Green Climate Fund in 2019, citing concerns that such programs prioritize climate goals over economic growth and energy affordability. The White House referred inquiries about its current stance on climate disaster funding to the State Department, which did not immediately respond.
In the absence of sufficient funds from the U.N. climate mechanism, Sherman suggested Nepal might consider seeking loans from institutions like the World Bank to support recovery efforts. With funding gaps persisting, the situation underscores ongoing tensions over global responsibility and financial support for countries confronting the mounting consequences of climate change.