On Aug. 26, an ice-and-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border triggered a devastating flash flood that sent a massive surge of water and debris into Nepal’s Rasuwa district. As of Sep. 8, 1,357 bodies had been recovered and around 5,326 remained unaccounted for, according to Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA).
As Nepal continues search-and-rescue operations and provides food, shelter, medical care and other necessities to survivors, its government has appealed for financial support for the disaster response. Nepali community organizations across New York have also launched their own fundraising efforts to support people affected by the flood.
While many U.S.-based organizations, international aid groups and Nepal-based NGOs are working on the ground and accepting donations, the options below provide ways to donate directly.
How did the flash flood affect communities in Nepal?
The flood swept through communities in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Tanahun and Chitwan along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems.
Across the border in Tibet, at least 43 people have died in Gyirong County, where 591 remain missing, including 261 foreign nationals from 23 countries, according to Chinese authorities. The full impact of the disaster in Tibet remains unclear. China, which annexed Tibet in 1959, has released limited information about the damages through state media and does not allow foreign journalists to travel without permission.
How can I support New York’s Nepali community fundraisers?
The Lo Nyamship Association, a New York-based organization representing the Upper Mustang community of Nepal (a culturally Tibetan region in northern Nepal) has raised more than $92,000 for flood relief through its network, as verified by Documented. More than 335 people contributed after the fundraiser was circulated through the organization’s WhatsApp group.
Rapsang Bista, the association’s vice president, said the organization is still accepting donations. The group initially set a goal of raising 10 million Nepali rupees (about $66,000), but surpassed that target as donations continued to come in. He also confirmed 100% of the funds will go toward the relief.
Bista also said the organization has not yet decided whether to send the money to Nepal’s Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund, the official government channel for supporting relief efforts, or another relief organization. The association wants to make sure the money reaches people in the hardest-hit areas directly, he said.
The Lo Nyamship Association has posted information about donating through Zelle and by check on its Facebook page and continues to provide updates there.
The United Sherpa Association, another organization representing the Sherpa community, an ethnic group native to the Himalayan region, has raised more than $19,000 for flood relief, according to Tenpa Sherpa, President of the association. The association is accepting donations through Zelle and in cash at its community center in Jackson Heights. Sherpa said 100% of the funds raised will be sent to Nepal’s Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund.
The association has also held prayer and candlelight gatherings for people killed or missing in the disaster and has made its community space available for people seeking a place to pray for loved ones affected by the flood. It has organized disaster-relief efforts for Nepal in the past. Following the 2015 earthquake, it also raised more than $138,000 for relief efforts.
The United Sherpa Association also provided space for a student-led clothing and relief-supply drive involving volunteers from the community and students from the School for International Training’s International Honors Program in Human Rights.
Because Nepal is more than 16 hours away from the U.S., transporting physical relief supplies can be difficult and costly. Monetary donations can help relief organizations purchase and deliver what is needed on the ground. Donations are still being accepted through the relief funds and organizations listed above.
How else can I support the relief and recovery efforts?
The Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund is an official government channel for supporting relief and recovery. People outside Nepal can donate through the official channels listed by the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, including bank transfers and other methods. The government has also published a QR code and donation information through its flood-response portal.
The Nepal Red Cross Society is carrying out emergency response operations in the flood-affected areas with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent organizations. The organization has mobilized thousands of volunteers and distributed emergency supplies including tarpaulins, blankets, mattresses, first-aid materials, tents, emergency toilets, hygiene supplies and dignity kits. Its response also includes search and rescue, evacuation, body management, temporary shelter, food distribution, psychological support and efforts to reconnect separated family members.
As of Aug. 30, the Nepal Red Cross said it had provided 2,000 tarpaulins, 1,000 blankets, 1,000 mattresses, 5,000 dignity and hygiene kits, 1,790 body-management bags and other emergency supplies in affected areas. Donations are being accepted through credit card and Apply Pay.
