Nepal steps up diplomatic push for support after floods

Nepal has activated its diplomatic network to seek help after deadly flooding in the Bhotekoshi River basin, including specialist teams and financing for recovery.

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said the government had mobilized officials from the prime minister’s office, the Foreign Ministry and Nepali missions abroad. He said Prime Minister Balendra Shah was receiving calls from foreign leaders, while Khanal was speaking daily with his counterparts.

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From the prime minister to the foreign minister to Nepali missions abroad, we have activated all our political and diplomatic machinery.

Japan moved to support the response after five Japanese nationals went missing in the flood. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi asked Shah for Nepal’s “fullest cooperation” in the rescue effort, according to a post on X. Japan also offered emergency supplies, including tents and blankets, and indicated that it could provide further help through international organizations and send a disaster-relief team.

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We are gathering solidarity and support from the international community.

Khanal said Nepal was seeking more than immediate relief. Embassies were briefing host governments on the country’s needs, including tunnel-rescue experts, Bailey bridges, DNA and forensic specialists, and non-food items. Nepali missions were also working to secure funds for resettlement and reconstruction in coordination with the Finance Ministry and diplomatic and donor communities in Kathmandu.

The government has made an urgent request to the Fund for responding to Loss and Damage, the global climate-finance mechanism established at COP27 and operationalized at COP28. The request, signed by Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle and Forests and Agriculture Minister Geeta Chaudhary, described widespread loss of life, displacement, destroyed homes and infrastructure, and disruption to services, livelihoods, markets and connectivity. The Least Developed Countries Group, representing 44 countries, expressed solidarity with Nepal and called for stronger adaptation and loss-and-damage assistance.

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fullest cooperation