By Abdullahi Lukman
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for sustained international support to help Nepal recover from devastating floods that killed at least 1,400 people and left nearly 5,300 missing, warning that climate change is increasing the risk of future disasters in the Himalayan region.
In an update from Kathmandu on Friday, UNICEF said communities affected by the disaster in late August were still struggling to rebuild their homes, restore livelihoods and regain access to essential services six weeks after floodwaters swept through several river valleys.
The disaster occurred after a massive mass of glacial ice and rock collapsed into the Bhotekoshi, Upper Trishuli and Narayani-Gandak rivers, triggering torrents that destroyed homes, bridges and other infrastructure. At least 84 children were among those killed.
UNICEF spokesperson James Elder described the lasting psychological impact on affected families, highlighting the experience of 16-year-old Sahara, whose mother was killed in the floods.
Elder said many affected towns and villages remained severely damaged, while access to some communities in Rasuwa district continued to be difficult.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said isolated communities were still receiving emergency supplies by air as damaged roads and communication networks gradually recovered.
Caroline Holt, the IFRC’s director for disasters, climate and crises, said disrupted markets, rising transport costs and shortages of essential goods were adding to the difficulties faced by survivors.
She stressed that affected families needed more than immediate relief, including support to restore their incomes, secure housing and enable children to return to school.
Among those affected are Shushila and her husband, Jivan, whose home and businesses, including a tailoring shop and tea store, were destroyed when floodwaters more than two metres high swept through their property.
According to Elder, the couple escaped with only the clothes they were wearing. UNICEF has provided their family with cash assistance, which they used to prioritise their children’s needs, including books, stationery and clothing.
Elder warned that without stronger global action to reduce climate risks, children and vulnerable communities would continue to bear the heaviest burden of floods and landslides.
He noted that the Himalayas are warming at approximately twice the global average, increasing concerns about climate-related hazards in the region.
Although Nepal contributes only about 0.1 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, UNICEF said the country needs greater international assistance to recover from climate-related disasters and prepare for future threats.
Elder called on governments to translate their commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to address loss and damage into practical assistance for affected communities.
The appeal comes ahead of the UN climate conference, COP31, scheduled to take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20.
UNICEF warned that without sustained recovery funding and stronger climate-risk reduction measures, vulnerable communities across Nepal and other parts of Asia and the Pacific could face repeated disasters, with children remaining among those most severely affected.
