Nepal will raise the tragic floods as a matter of international justice, they are paying a "high price" for climate change
"Our role in climate change is very minimal, but we are paying a high price".
Six days since the disastrous flash floods in Nepal and Tibet (China), with a death toll that recently rose to 1,010 and 4,000 still missing in Nepal and 16 reported deaths and 546 missing by China, Nepal's Minister of Foreign Affairs Shishir Khanal said they will raise the issue on the international stage, demanding justice because this was the result of climate change.
"While the role of the world's big and rich countries in climate change is significant, ours is very minimal. However, we are paying a high price. Let us make this a matter of justice in the international community. Let us raise our voices with our heads held high", Khanal said on Kantipur Television's Fireside programme, as reported by Ekantipur (via Anud Kaphle).
"This is not assistance, but a matter of responsibility of big countries. We will seriously raise this issue on the international stage."
Khanal warned that the faster the snow melts, the greater challenges they face, but those will not only affect the 30 million people in Nepal, but also 2.5 billion people in South Asia. "All countries need to come together on this issue."
The Minister also refused claims that Nepal rejected foreign assistance for rescue, and added they have experts from China, India and South Korea assisting the security personnel, and described the work made by rescue forces as commendable, given the tragedy and complex geography. "The government has not allowed a shortage of resources. We will seek and bring the necessary humanitarian or technical assistance from the world."
