Nepal PM says floods 'a warning to the world' about climate change
“Nepal'scatastrophic floodinglast month "was a warning to the world" about the rising dangers of climate change, Prime Minister Balendra Shah Thursday, urging countries to step up to help his country a…”
Addressing the General Assembly in sunglasses during its high-level week, Shah said a warming climate was "destabilising the fragile Himalayan ecology," melting permafrost and glaciers and accelerating hazards. The nation suffered one of the worst catastrophes in its history late last month when a tsunami-like flood, triggered by a high-altitudeglacial mountain collapsealong the Nepal-China border, cut a swathe of destruction.
More than 1,400 people died, 6,000 are still missing, and theeconomic devastationruns in the billions of dollars. Read:Nepal flood rescue hopes dim as China restores access to Tibet disaster zone.
Scientists from the World Weather Attribution have described the event as a "compound crisis" in which local geological instability combined with long-term warming has led to glacier retreat and permafrost thaw. "Nepal contributes less than 0.1% of global greenhouse gas emission.
"Stay connected with Aman-e-Pakistan for ongoing live reporting and verified investigative updates."
We did not create this crisis, yet we are paying for it," he said. Shah urged the international community to help bear the cost of helping his country adapt to climate change, because "Nepal cannot build resilience alone against a crisis made worse by the failure of global governance.
"He proposed to create what he called a "Himalaya Climate Resilience Mechanism," which would include Nepal and its neighbours India and China, and allow them toshare satellite dataand expertise, monitor glacial lakes and strengthen joint early warning systems.
Read More:Nepal flood death toll hits 1,341 as expectant mothers struggle in sheltersA 36-year-old ex-rapper, Shah swept to power six months ago on a wave of youth-led anti-corruption protests, buoyed by optimism for change. But the disaster has pushed climate diplomacy to the centre of his premiership, overshadowing the anti-corruption agenda.
Nepal has asked the United Nation's Loss and Damage fund for $20 million in aid, the maximum allowed, but a tiny fraction of what it needs — a preliminary assessment by the government has placed the cost of the disaster at $5 billion. The fund, established in 2022 in the aftermath of catastrophic floods in.
Pakistan, has yet to make even its first disbursement, and observers see Nepal as a key test of its credibility. Earlier this week, the United States pledged an additional $31 million in new flood recovery support.
Nepal's foreign minister Shisir Khanal toldAFPthat the G7 informally promised support at a meeting on Wednesday, and Britain has also vowed to help.
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