Climate Disasters Escalate Amid Cuts to Preparedness Aid

Millions of people are confronting the devastating impacts of climate-related disasters, even as funding for international adaptation and disaster preparedness programs faces significant reductions. This diminishing aid, particularly from the United States, leaves vulnerable nations facing billions in avoidable damages and insufficient recovery resources.

In Nepal, survivors of recent floods that killed over 1,450 people and left thousands missing are left with virtually nothing. Tenzin Dolma Ghale, a survivor, described her village and family being swept away, stating simply, "It’s all finished." Her situation highlights the escalating consequences of climate-related disasters, a reality echoed globally.

Harjeet Singh, founding director of the Satat Sampada Climate Foundation, noted the vast financial gap, stating, "The reality is that we need trillions of dollars every year, but developed countries have not met their obligation."

The Trump administration's abrupt cuts to U.S. foreign aid in 2025 eliminated or sharply curtailed numerous programs worldwide, with devastating consequences for many communities. Reductions by other major donor countries have exacerbated this funding crisis.

Among the programs shut down was SERVIR-Hindu Kush Himalaya (SERVIR-HKH), a collaborative initiative by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), NASA, and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) based in Kathmandu. This program utilized satellites and geospatial analysis to support disaster risk reduction, water resource management, and land cover monitoring across Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan.

SERVIR-HKH facilitated critical services such as flood risk assessment and collaboration with organizations like the Nepal Red Cross Society for risk communication. It also provided over 170 public datasets on glaciers, disasters, and vulnerability. Experts lauded the program for its extensive research, cross-border coordination, and support for local disaster reduction efforts.

Before its funding ceased due to USAID cuts, SERVIR-HKH addressed the escalating risks in a region where climate change has led to rapid glacier melt, altered monsoon patterns, and an increase in floods, landslides, and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). These changes threaten food, water, and energy security for nearly 2 billion people in and downstream of the Himalayas.

A new report by global consultancy Systemiq, in collaboration with ICIMOD, indicates that Himalayan glaciers are losing mass 65% faster than a decade ago. However, the report highlights that less than 0.1% of the region's approximately 40,000 glaciers are monitored in detail and on a sustained basis.

The conclusion of SERVIR-HKH funding meant the termination of programs focused on landslide forecasting, daily flood monitoring, training initiatives, and regional collaboration. This leaves millions facing a heightened risk of GLOFs, which can release vast amounts of water and debris rapidly.

In northern Pakistan, melting glaciers have formed over 3,000 glacial lakes, with more than 30 identified as potential GLOF threats in populated areas. Afghanistan also faces an increased risk of GLOFs, according to research from the University of Lausanne. In India, which borders SERVIR-HKH countries and contains over half the Himalayas, more than 130 high-altitude lakes are at risk of flooding.

South Asia has already experienced severe climate-related disasters. The 2022 Pakistan floods resulted in over 1,700 deaths and an estimated $40 billion in damages. In Nepal in 2025, flooding caused nine deaths and millions in damages. Over the past 15 years, extreme weather events in the Indian Himalayas have claimed over 12,000 lives and caused billions in damages.

The region suffered at least $7 billion in economic losses in 2025 due to climate-driven extreme weather, according to the Emergency Events Database. This database itself is reportedly at risk of being shut down due to USAID funding cuts.

The U.S. State Department stated that the U.S. supports Nepal's flood warning capacity through other programs and noted that while SERVIR-HKH ended in January 2025, its tools remain accessible through ICIMOD.

The impact of these program cuts extends beyond immediate disaster zones. The Himalayan region is crucial for national economies, supporting agriculture, industry, tourism, and domestic water supply. Neha Rai, a climate finance expert at ICIMOD, warned that cuts to programs like SERVIR-HKH will have cascading effects for years, comparing it to halting cancer research funding prematurely.

"Climate risk is also a generational challenge," Rai said. "You need long-term observations, expertise, you need institutions that cannot simply be switched off and on as short-term priorities."

She also noted that the reduction in cross-border programs has hindered vital information sharing among governments, scientists, and organizations across the region, which is essential given the interconnectedness of water resources.

These funding cuts align with a broader trend. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development reported a 23% decrease in official development assistance from its Development Assistance Committee members in 2025, the largest on record. Several major donor countries have also announced significant reductions in aid.

Global South countries are spending approximately 225 times more on debt repayments than they receive in climate finance, according to ActionAid International. Teresa Andersen of ActionAid International described a "toxic relationship" between the climate crisis and the debt crisis, where countries borrow to recover from climate impacts but then cut investments in clean energy and preparedness to service debt.

Richard Sherman, a board member of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, stated that the current financial support is insufficient and often fails to prioritize climate adaptation. "There’s plenty of money if it goes to certain priorities, but for climate change right now, we’re witnessing a severe depreciation of the importance to act and make systems more resilient," he said.

While disaster recovery funds still exist, they are also experiencing funding reductions and are ill-equipped to handle the projected increase in climate-related disasters. Sherman emphasized the need for sustained support to help vulnerable countries adapt and build resilience, reducing their susceptibility to future impacts.