Arya News - The Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) is working with its board to assess Nepal’s request for emergency assistance following the devastating Bhotekoshi floods. Nepal is also set to receive $20 million in climate finance under an existing support mechanism.
KATHMANDU – The Board of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) has expressed readiness to consider Nepal’s request for urgent financial assistance following the devastating Bhotekoshi river floods, which Nepal argues were caused by the adverse effects of climate change.
Responding to a letter sent by Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle and Minister for Agriculture, Forest and Environment Gita Chaudhary on August 31 seeking financial assistance, FRLD Board co-chairs Camila Minerva Rodriguez Tavarez and Georg Børsting said they were ready to explore possible support for Nepal.
“We express our deepest sympathies to the people of Nepal in the wake of the overwhelming loss and damage caused by the catastrophic Bhotekoshi flash floods,” the co-chairs said in a letter addressed to Wagle and Chaudhary. “Through this letter, we convey our unwavering solidarity with you and the people.”
The co-chairs also said they were engaging with the FRLD Board to address Nepal’s urgent request as rapidly as possible.
“We would like to reassure you that we are engaging with the FRLD Board to address your urgent request as rapidly as possible. In doing so, we recommend that the Board consider options within the existing mandates, frameworks, structures, policies, and procedures of the FRLD for our response to be both as swift and meaningful as possible,” the letter, obtained by the Post, reads.
Nepal’s request for financial assistance received support and solidarity from countries and groups representing Asia, Africa, Latin America, least developed countries and small island developing states.
The government has also said it will provide the FRLD Board with all necessary supporting documents on the loss and damage caused by the floods.
A meeting of developing countries represented on the FRLD Board has been called for Thursday evening to discuss a common position on how to support Nepal, said Joint Secretary Maheshwar Dhakal, who is also Nepal’s alternate member on the Board.
“We are having a developing countries constituency meeting,” Dhakal said. “The response from the FRLD Board has huge value in the history of the FRLD, and it will lay a foundation stone for addressing loss and damage in developing countries around the world.”
The FRLD Board consists of 26 members representing parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement. Of these, 12 members represent developed countries, and 14 represent developing-country constituencies. Each Board member has an alternate member who can serve in the member’s absence.
“The 10th and 11th Board meetings will give a clear indication of the support that is expected to come soon. Originally, the 10th meeting was planned for December 10, but it is expected to be convened before that,” Dhakal said.
The 10th Board meeting is scheduled to be held in Manila, Philippines, in December 2026, while the 11th meeting is scheduled to take place in Kathmandu from March 17 to 19, 2027.
“Nepal wants to lead the mountain and loss and damage agenda at COP31,” Dhakal added. He is leading Nepal’s agenda for the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), which will be held in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20, 2026. He is also the focal point for climate change and related issues at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Environment.
“We very much appreciate the government of Nepal’s expressed readiness to provide preliminary assessments, official data, satellite information and damage estimates, especially at this time when the government’s efforts are focused on responding to the recent catastrophic event,” the letter said.
“Please rest assured that the Secretariat will be in touch with you on any information that is required,” it added.
Separately, Nepal is set to receive $20 million in climate finance under a mechanism established to support countries vulnerable to climate change. The funding has been approved under the Barbados Implementation Modalities, established under the architecture of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, based on proposals submitted by Nepal earlier this year.