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Photos: UN urges global aid after China-Nepal floods kill more than 1,300

From Al Jazeera · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

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  • At least 1,384 people died and more than 5,500 remained missing after catastrophic flooding in Nepal and China’s Tibet region.
  • The UN appealed for $50 million to support more than 84,000 affected people, many of whom remain cut off by destroyed roads and bridges.
  • UN officials warned of cholera and other communicable diseases, while Nepal called for climate compensation from major greenhouse-gas emitters.

The lives of flood survivors along the China-Nepal border changed “in one to two minutes,” the United Nations’ top official in Nepal said as she appealed for international aid.

Torrential floods on August 26 tore through Himalayan mountain districts, destroying roads, bridges and hydropower dams. At least 1,384 people died in Nepal and China’s Tibet region, while more than 5,500 remained missing. More than 800 foreigners from at least 34 countries were among the missing, including tourists and pilgrims.

You lose your home, you lose your livelihood, you lose your loved one and you lose the breadwinner of your family. And you know, this happened in one to two minutes.

· Lila Pieters YahiaThe UN resident coordinator in Nepal described how quickly the floods transformed survivors’ lives.

Many communities near the epicentre remained cut off. Roads had been washed away, turning journeys that once took hours into trips lasting days. Working with Nepal’s government, the UN launched a $50 million appeal to assist more than 84,000 people affected by the disaster.

My plea to the international community is: this is the time to help Nepal. We can’t leave them alone.

· Lila Pieters YahiaShe appealed for international support as the UN launched a $50 million relief appeal.

Lila Pieters Yahia, the UN resident coordinator, warned that survivors faced cholera and other communicable diseases. She cited the deaths of 5,000 cattle and urged urgent investment in sanitation, hygiene and protection for vulnerable women and girls. “My plea to the international community is: this is the time to help Nepal,” she said. “We can’t leave them alone.”

Authorities said a glacial collapse likely caused the flooding, although its exact cause remained under investigation. Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said major greenhouse-gas emitters had a “historical responsibility to compensate vulnerable nations like Nepal.” He said the government had formally submitted a climate compensation claim letter to international partners. Experts cited in the report said glacier floods have become more frequent and larger as global temperatures rise.

Historical responsibility to compensate vulnerable nations like Nepal.

· Shisir KhanalNepal’s foreign minister described the responsibility he attributed to major greenhouse-gas emitters.
About this summary

Originally published by Al Jazeera in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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