Many of those swept away aren't officially dead, leaving families in limbo

Key Points:

• Over 5,000 people remain missing after devastating floods along the China-Nepal border, but Nepali law requires 12 years before missing persons can be legally declared dead, leaving families unable to obtain death certificates and access compensation.
• Families struggle with legal and administrative challenges, as current laws do not account for disaster scenarios, hindering access to financial aid, property transfers, and inheritance rights.
• More than 1,400 bodies have been recovered, but identification processes are slow due to limited DNA processing capacity, complicating closure for many families.
• The floods caused extensive damage, destroying thousands of buildings and critical infrastructure, with reconstruction costs estimated at $4.8 billion, over 10% of Nepal’s GDP, prompting calls for international grant-based aid rather than loans.
• The government acknowledges the legal issues and is considering amending the law, while local officials urge swift resolution to help families move forward amid ongoing emotional and financial hardship.