A North Texas group is mobilizing to raise money for victims of the catastrophic floods along the Nepal-Tibet border that have left nearly 1,000 people dead.
The Nepalese Society of Texas is raising money to support thousands of people who have been displaced, lost their homes and are in need of medical assistance.
Last week, the Nepal-Tibet border region was hit by a devastating flash flood after a massive glacier collapse triggered an avalanche, landslide and powerful debris flow. The collapse also generated seismic activity that was initially detected as an earthquake.
Scientists say a nearly 2,000-foot-wide section of a glacier broke away from a mountain and plunged thousands of feet toward the valley below. The collapse sent ice, rock and debris into the river system, creating a devastating surge that swept downstream into Nepal and Tibet.
Latest numbers show the death toll stands at 955 people, with approximately 4,471 people remaining missing in Nepal and Tibet. In Nepal alone, at least 939 people have died and 3,925 remain missing. Chinese authorities have reported 16 deaths and 546 people missing in Tibet.
The United Nations says around 65,000 people are in need of emergency water, sanitation, and hygiene support in Nepal.
With North Texas home to a large Nepalese population, the Nepalese Society of Texas is raising money to send to Nepal through the country’s Prime Ministerial Disaster fund. The money will help provide families with food, shelter, medical care and other basic necessities.
The society said monetary donations are its main priority because physical goods are more difficult to transport to the affected region.
“It’s very devastating. All the routes are gone. All communication is interrupted. So it’s a very dire situation. I cannot express how dire the situation is until you go to the local place,” said Bijah Bhusal with the Nepalese Society of Texas.
“We are asking this help to help where we were born. We were born in Nepal, and we are here. So, any kind of help from our native community plus the local community, that’s what we are asking for. And then help from everyone,” said Baikuntha Tsapa with the Nepalese Society of Texas.
However the Nepalese society isn’t the only North Texas group working to aid those affected by the disaster.
Texans on Mission is also preparing to send clean-water supplies to affected villages, including nearly 100 gravity-fed bucket filters. The organization also said it will send food, water, cookware and a five-person strike team.
“When everything is washed away, they don’t have electricity, they don’t have plumbing, they don’t have housing, they don’t have food,” John Hall with Texans on Mission told Fox 4 News.
The team being sent to Nepal has spent significant time in the country and is familiar with its culture and language.
“These are highly specialized, highly experienced folks that we’re sending over to Nepal, who have spent time in Nepal. They know the culture, they’re familiar with the language, they’re familiar with how the communities work, and so they’re going to go hand in hand with our long-term partners to begin making a difference as quickly as possible,” Hill told Fox 4 News.
As rescue and recovery efforts continue in Nepal and Tibet, North Texas organizations are working to provide aid to communities facing the aftermath of the disaster.
The Nepalese Society of Texas is encouraging those who want to help to make monetary donations, while Texans on Mission is preparing to send teams and supplies directly to affected communities.
