Solidarity Event for Climate Disaster Victims in Basantapur

Kathmandu. A collective candle-lighting program will be organized in Kathmandu's Basantapur Durbar Square to express solidarity with families and communities affected by climate-induced disasters, marking one month since the Bhote Koshi flood. The program is being jointly organized by various organizations advocating for the rights of workers, women, marginalized communities, and communities in the Himalayan region affected by climate change, and for climate justice. ActionAid Nepal, Mahila Ekata Samaj, Makwanpur Mahila Utthan Samaj, Chitwan Sakriya Mahila Pratishthan, and Youth Advocacy Nepal are jointly organizing the 'Solidarity for Climate Justice Campaign and Collective Candle Lighting' program, as informed by the organizers at a press conference today. The program aims to remember the pain and struggles of families and communities affected by climate-induced disasters, express solidarity with them, raise voices to ensure the rights and livelihoods of affected communities, and collectively amplify the demand for climate justice. Three major demands will be put forward. The candle-lighting program in Basantapur will put forward demands for ensuring the rights, dignity, security, and livelihoods of affected communities. Furthermore, demands will be made for adequate, accessible, and grant-based climate finance to be provided for rehabilitation, adaptation, and addressing climate-induced loss and damage, and for major emitters to reduce emissions and take appropriate responsibility for the damage caused by the climate crisis, the organizers stated. Various activities have been conducted for a week with the objective of increasing community-level awareness on climate justice issues by orienting youth, discussing the impact of climate change on affected communities, and taking their voices to national and international levels, the organizers informed.