Nepal and South Korea Discuss Flood Rescue, Recovery and Climate Finance

Nepal and South Korea have discussed efforts to locate South Korean nationals missing after the devastating Bhotekoshi river flood, alongside cooperation on recovery and climate change.

Nepalese Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal met South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun in Kathmandu on Sunday. They reviewed search, rescue and relief operations following the flooding on Aug. 26.

Khanal thanked South Korea for sending an inter-agency rapid response team and a disaster relief team to the affected areas. He also expressed appreciation for humanitarian assistance and relief supplies delivered to communities hit by the disaster. The ministers discussed the continuing search for missing South Korean citizens.

Khanal said Nepal had made post-disaster reconstruction a priority and would seek safer, more resilient infrastructure under a “build back better” approach. Cho said South Korea was ready to assist with reconstruction and rehabilitation.

Cho also urged greater international attention to deaths and infrastructure losses suffered by countries such as Nepal because of climate change. According to the foreign minister’s secretariat, he said the two countries should highlight the effects of climate-related disasters at international forums, including United Nations climate conferences.

South Korea will support Nepal’s efforts to secure international financial assistance for climate-related losses, Cho said. The ministers also agreed to expand cooperation in labour, development, trade, investment, technology and people-to-people ties, while reaffirming their longstanding friendship and mutual trust.

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build back better