Nepal president appeals for climate justice after devastating floods

Nepal's President Ramchandra Paudel has appealed for climate justice as the country mourns at least 1,355 deaths from floods and continues searching for 4,996 people listed as unaccounted for.

Addressing the nation on Monday, Paudel said the disaster had exposed the exceptional fragility of the Himalayan environment. He described it as a warning about rising global temperatures and the growing risks associated with climate change.

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I make a heartfelt appeal to the international community not only to listen to the voices of ecologically vulnerable countries, including Nepal, but also to take concrete and effective steps to ensure climate justice for them

"I make a heartfelt appeal to the international community not only to listen to the voices of ecologically vulnerable countries, including Nepal, but also to take concrete and effective steps to ensure climate justice for them," Paudel said. Preliminary estimates from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority put losses to property, housing and infrastructure at Rs387.5 billion ($2.56 billion).

Paudel praised the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, health workers, local representatives, civil servants, volunteers and organisations involved in search, rescue and relief operations. He urged political parties, civil society, humanitarian groups, the private sector and citizens to work together.

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This is not a time for division. Nor is it a time to blame one another or become entangled in political disputes and confrontation

"This is not a time for division. Nor is it a time to blame one another or become entangled in political disputes and confrontation," he said. "This is a time to demonstrate national unity and solidarity. It is also a time for reconstruction, rehabilitation and economic recovery."

The president said rebuilding should also prompt Nepal to reconsider its development model. He called for continued searches despite difficult terrain, damaged roads and dangerous conditions, and urged authorities to provide rescued people with food, clean water, safe shelter, medical treatment and psychosocial services. He said children, older people, people with disabilities, pregnant women and others needing special protection required particular attention.

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This is a time to demonstrate national unity and solidarity. It is also a time for reconstruction, rehabilitation and economic recovery