Malaysia seeks US$3 million from UN climate fund amid deadly floods

The assistance will be used to develop a national plan to adapt to climate change, the environment ministry said

Since December 18, torrential rain has caused severe flooding that killed at least 48 people and displaced nearly 70,000

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Floods in Malaysia have displaced nearly 70,000 people. Photo: AP

Published: 4:54pm, 27 Dec 2021

Malaysia is seeking US$3 million from the UN Green Climate Fund (GCF) to develop a national plan to adapt to climate change, the environment ministry said last week, amid deadly floods that have displaced nearly 70,000 people this month.

The funds requested are paltry relative to the amount the country has pledged to spend on flood mitigation efforts, though experts say the plan’s implementation would likely cost much more.

Since December 18, torrential rain has caused severe flooding that killed at least 48 people in eight Malaysian states, prompting calls for the government to improve its preparedness to extreme weather events.

In response to questions sent to the Environment and Water Ministry on December 20 on Malaysia’s approach to climate adaptation, Secretary General Zaini Ujang replied that the ministry will request the GCF funds to help develop a National Adaptation Plan by the end of next year.

The plan will focus on areas such as water, agricultural, and food security, public health, forestry, and infrastructure, Zaini said in a written response.

“The ministry also has long-term plans to request for climate funds that can assist in implementing programmes addressing the impact of climate change,” he said.