Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah is facing growing pressure to attend the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in New York. The where the country is expected to seek international assistance for recovery efforts following devastating floods and landslides.
The pressure comes at a time when the country is experiencing a major humanitarian and reconstruction challenge.
The death toll from Wednesday’s floods has crossed 1,000 with nearly 4,000 people missing. The scale of the disaster has placed significant demands on the government as rescue operations and recovery efforts continue across affected areas.
Government officials have urged Shah to use the UNGA platform to seek international attention for Nepal’s immediate humanitarian needs. His participation could provide an opportunity to appeal for assistance with post-disaster rehabilitation, reconstruction and long-term measures to strengthen the country’s resilience to climate-related disasters.
A senior government official said that it was unsure whether Shah would ultimately travel to New York.
The official noted that there was disagreement within the government over the issue. Some argued that the prime minister should use the international forum to seek greater support from the international community.
Foreign Affairs Minister Shir Khanal has been urging Shah to lead Nepal’s delegation to the United Nations General Assembly.
These discussions are resurfacing because the government is attempting in the coordination of relief operations with seeking assistance from international community simultaneously.
Meanwhile, rescue and recovery efforts remain underway in several parts of the country. The Nepal Army has continued searching for missing people including in tunnels and other difficult-to-access locations. Search operations have also focused on areas around the Trishuli River where authorities fear that victims and debris may remain trapped.
The difficult terrain has complicated rescue efforts. Several facilities along the river have been damaged or destroyed, while some unidentified bodies have temporarily been buried because of concerns over decomposition and prolonged exposure to water.
Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said that efforts are being made to manage the situation.
International assistance has also begun to take shape. Teams from India, China and South Korea have arrived to support operations, particularly those involving the removal of debris and the search for people who may still be trapped.
For Nepal’s government, the immediate challenge is twofold. First, to continue rescue operations in the country and second, to mobilise international support for a long and costly recovery. The UN General Assembly could therefore provide Shah with an important diplomatic platform to highlight the country’s losses and seek assistance for reconstruction.
Whether Shah attends the gathering himself remains a matter of debate within the government. But with thousands still missing and large-scale reconstruction ahead, Nepal’s need for international cooperation is becoming urgent.
