Bangladesh has expressed solidarity with the government and people of Nepal following devastating floods that have so far claimed 1,257 lives, with around 4,200 people still missing.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Nepal Md Shafiqur Rahman made the remarks while attending a diplomatic briefing on the disaster conducted by Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to a statement issued on Thursday (3 September).
Briefing diplomats on the latest situation, Khanal provided updates on search, rescue and recovery operations.
He also highlighted the role of global emissions and climate change in the climate-induced disaster.
The foreign minister said Nepal was bearing a disproportionate burden from the impacts of a warming Himalayas, despite being among the countries least responsible for global emissions.
He urged the international community to come forward to address the climate crisis, stressing that Nepal was seeking support not as charity but as compensation for the loss and damage it had suffered.
Taking the floor, Ambassador Shafiqur expressed Bangladesh’s solidarity with Nepal and endorsed its position on shared responsibility in addressing the climate crisis.
He said major polluters should support vulnerable countries, including Nepal and Bangladesh, as they seek to tackle the impacts of climate change and build resilient infrastructure and sustainable development.
The ambassador also conveyed the condolences of Bangladesh’s Prime Minister and President to the people of Nepal.
He informed the briefing that the National Parliament of Bangladesh had adopted a motion of condolence, observed a one-minute silence and offered prayers for the victims of the disaster.
The ambassador further highlighted a telephone conversation between the foreign ministers of Bangladesh and Nepal following the disaster.
He also informed the Nepalese side that Bangladesh had provided $1 million in humanitarian assistance for the flood victims.
