Climate victims cannot wait for funding paperwork: Minister Chaudhary
Summary
Nepal has urged developed countries at COP31 in Antalya to provide urgent loss and damage financing as grants, not loans, for countries hit hardest by climate change. Minister Gita Chaudhary said delays in funding are unacceptable as communities continue to suffer from climate-driven disasters.
Key Points
- Nepal called on developed countries to deliver loss and damage finance that is adequate, predictable and accessible, and to provide it as grants rather than loans.
- Minister Gita Chaudhary cited the Bhote Koshi flash floods as an example of the urgent need for faster international support and said the disaster caused massive human and economic losses.
- She said Nepal has been provisionally allocated USD 21.6 million by the FRLD, but called the amount far too small compared with recovery needs.
- Chaudhary warned that delayed or debt-based financing would burden vulnerable countries and urged predictable, science-based support mechanisms.
