October 2023 Analysis: National Security and Climate Change
CESIF Nepal
The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres spoke about the impact of the climate crisis and Nepal's role in UN peacekeeping. A recent report published by Amnesty International alleged that Amazon in Saudi Arabia has cheated Nepali migrant workers by depriving them of their salaries and proper housing facilities. Tragically, ten Nepali students were killed in Hamas attacks in Israel. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has announced that the government will provide Rs. 50,000 to the victims of the Bajhang earthquake.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited the Everest region on October 30, 2023, to witness the consequences of the climate crisis in the Himalayas and its impact on the livelihoods of people living there. After his visit, Guterres released a video message urging the world to end activities that contribute to environmental degradation. He also highlighted that the climate crisis is accelerating, as evidenced by the rapid melting of Himalayan glaciers.
To mitigate the impact of the climate crisis, it is high time for the government of Nepal to take these issues seriously. The government must lobby with world leaders to end activities that contribute to climate change. It must also bring forward discussions on the rapid climate crisis at the UN Climate Conference to be held in the United Arab Emirates on November 30, 2023.
During his visit, Guterres discussed Nepal's crucial role in contributing to UN peacekeeping efforts in conflict zones worldwide. He praised Nepal for its significant contributions in this area. Since joining the UN, Nepal has consistently contributed to peacekeeping missions. As of July 2023, it is the second-largest contributor of troops to UN peacekeeping missions.
Although Nepal's economy is highly dependent on remittances from migrant workers, the government has repeatedly failed to protect their lives and rights. Migrant workers have reported being unsafe, cheated, and deprived of their rights in foreign countries on multiple occasions. However, the government of Nepal has neglected these issues. As a result, many Nepali migrant workers have lost their lives for no reason.
Since the 2015 earthquake, Nepal has experienced many minor and major tremors. The government's recent initiative to provide relief amounts is a welcome step towards easing the conditions of earthquake victims. However, this initiative is only a temporary solution. To avoid further destruction from such natural disasters, the government must develop a long-term disaster risk reduction (DRR) policy. This policy should include measures such as making earthquake- resistant buildings mandatory, retrofitting older structures, and conducting awareness programs on earthquake preparedness.
Timeline of Major Events
| Date | Events |
| October 6 | Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal announces Rs.50,000 per family to the Bajhang Earthquake victims |
| October 8 | Ten Nepali Students die in Hamas attacks in Israel. |
| October 10 | Amnesty International publishes a report regarding the exploitation of Nepali Migrant workers by Amazon in Saudi Arabia. |
| October 30 | UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres visits the Everest region. |
UN Secretary-General Guterres' focus on climate change and peacekeeping
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited the Everest region on October 30, 2023, to witness the consequences of the climate crisis in the Himalayas and its impact on the livelihoods of people living there. After his visit, Guterres released a video message urging the world to end activities that contribute to environmental degradation. He also highlighted that the climate crisis is accelerating, as evidenced by the rapid melting of Himalayan glaciers.
To mitigate the impact of the climate crisis, it is high time for the government of Nepal to take these issues seriously. The government must lobby with world leaders to end activities that contribute to climate change. It must also bring forward discussions on the rapid climate crisis at the UN Climate Conference to be held in the United Arab Emirates on November 30, 2023.
During his visit, Guterres discussed Nepal's crucial role in contributing to UN peacekeeping efforts in conflict zones worldwide. He praised Nepal for its significant contributions in this area. Since joining the UN, Nepal has consistently contributed to peacekeeping missions. As of July 2023, it is the second-largest contributor of troops to UN peacekeeping missions.
Unsafe Status of Nepali Migrant Workers
On October 8, 2023, ten Nepali people were killed in an attack by Hamas in Israel. On October 10, 2023, Amnesty International published a report stating that Nepali migrant workers in Saudi Arabia are being exploited by Amazon. The report was based on information collected from 22 Nepalese men who worked in Amazon's warehouses in Riyadh or Jeddah between 2021 and 2023. The report found that the workers were underpaid, housed in poor conditions, and prevented from having alternative employment opportunities or leaving the country.Although Nepal's economy is highly dependent on remittances from migrant workers, the government has repeatedly failed to protect their lives and rights. Migrant workers have reported being unsafe, cheated, and deprived of their rights in foreign countries on multiple occasions. However, the government of Nepal has neglected these issues. As a result, many Nepali migrant workers have lost their lives for no reason.
Nepal's Need for a Long-Term DRR Policy
After visiting the earthquake-affected areas of Bajhang district on October 6, 2023, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal announced that the government would provide Rs. 50,000 as relief to earthquake victims for the construction of temporary shelters. Bajhang and several other districts in the Sudurpashchim Province experienced multiple earthquakes and landslides recently; it affected more than 8,000 households.Since the 2015 earthquake, Nepal has experienced many minor and major tremors. The government's recent initiative to provide relief amounts is a welcome step towards easing the conditions of earthquake victims. However, this initiative is only a temporary solution. To avoid further destruction from such natural disasters, the government must develop a long-term disaster risk reduction (DRR) policy. This policy should include measures such as making earthquake- resistant buildings mandatory, retrofitting older structures, and conducting awareness programs on earthquake preparedness.
