The Nepali community in Petersburg has taken action by raising approximately £16,000 to help the flood victims in Nepal. This aid was collected after severe flooding on August 26 in border villages of Nepal and Tibet, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,300 people and left thousands more missing.
Dire Situation for Families
Kris, a Nepali-American businessman residing in Petersburg, said, "Some people in Nepal have lost everything, not just their land and homes, but also family members." He also added that his family in Kathmandu is safe, but local Nepali families are deeply concerned about their loved ones.
Collaboration with the Nepali Embassy
The Nepali Association of Petersburg, which supports around 300 families in Petersburg, Huntingdon, and parts of Lincolnshire, has played an active role in collecting donations and has announced that it is working with the Nepali Embassy in the UK to send money to the affected areas. Bishnu Bahar Thapa, the president of this association, expressed concern and said, "Many local families are devastated by the news of their relatives missing in the floods."
He continued, "My wife's cousin, who is 27 years old, went to take tourists to the Himalayan regions and is still missing. Many families have told us that they have lost their homes, land, and everything in Nepal."
Thapa also described the dire situation in the mountainous regions of Nepal, stating, "They have told us that there was no place to escape and that the destruction is unimaginable."
Kris added that recovery from this disaster will take years, but any help can assist the victims. He said, "When I heard this news, I was shocked. I was very worried and couldn't sleep. After seeing the scale of the devastation, I decided to start a fundraising campaign."
So far, approximately £16,000 has been raised through fundraising efforts organized by Kris, the Nepali Association of Petersburg, and other community groups in the city.
Thapa expressed gratitude for the support received from the people of Petersburg and the government, which has pledged £5 million for humanitarian aid. He said, "We are thankful to everyone who has contributed, including individuals from various communities in Petersburg. All the money raised will be sent through the embassy to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund in Nepal. Every contribution can make a difference."
