WASHINGTON: The United Nations’ climate loss and damage fund moved on Thursday to provide $20 million in aid sought by flood-stricken Nepal, the first time it has set aside money for any country, in a key test of the body’s credibility.

In an extraordinary meeting, the fund’s board agreed to earmark the modest sum for the Himalayan country, which was hit in August by tsunami-like floods triggered by a climate-induced ice and rock avalanche that killed more than 1,400 people and left over 5,000 missing.

Camila Minerva Rodriguez Tavarez, the Dominican co-chair of the board, called the outcome “truly historic” and thanked members for “allowing us to act promptly and have a response to Nepal.” Reacting to the news, Nepal’s finance minister Swarnim Wagle said: “The fact that they could convene this emergency meeting in response to our letter and commit $20 million of grant money is very welcome.” The decision does not, however, mean that Nepal will immediately receive the funding, which amounts to less than 0.5 percent of the government’s $4.78 billion estimate for reconstruction.

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2026