Over Rs 3.5m donation handed over to Finance Minister for Bhotekoshi River flood relief
KATHMANDU: Three organisations have voluntarily contributed Rs 3,547,536 to the government of Nepal for the relief and rehabilitation of citizens displaced and affected by the devastating floods in Bhotekoshi River of Rasuwa District.
A delegation led by Dr Ram Chandra Bhusal handed the funds over to Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle. The contributing bodies are the Japan Nepal Society (JNS), Tokyo; the JICA Alumni Association of Nepal (JAAN); and the Institution for Suitable Actions for Prosperity (ISAP). The financial assistance will be deposited into the Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund.
Of the total collection, JNS provided Rs 2,226,560, JAAN contributed Rs 1,011,705, and ISAP donated Rs 309,271. Dr Bhusal, the president of JAAN and team leader of the Agriculture Promotion Project in Nepal (APPIN), coordinated the collection from the three entities. He stated that the funds were voluntarily collected by members of JAAN, JNS, and ISAP in response to the government's appeal.
JAAN, JNS, and ISAP collectively expressed their deep sorrow over the loss of lives and property caused by the devastating Bhotekoshi River floods. In a letter sent to the finance minister, Prof Dr Yoko Ishida, president of JNS, echoed these condolences, stating that JNS and its members always stand together with the Nepalese people during such difficult circumstances.
Finance Minister Dr Wagle expressed his gratitude to the three organisations, their members, and well-wishers for supporting the government during this difficult situation. Previously, Loknath Devkota, a life member of JAAN and a former joint secretary of the government of Nepal, handed over Rs 5 million to the finance minister for the support of flood victims.
Dr Bhusal further stated that, as an organisation continuously working for the past five decades to strengthen Nepal-Japan relations, JAAN has been serving as a bridge of friendship between the two countries. JNS is also a social organisation comprising highly respected Japanese members who have goodwill towards Nepal and work to strengthen bilateral relations.
These organisations have a history of mutual support. In March 2011, JAAN collected donations from its members for the victims of the earthquake in Japan and sent the funds to the Japanese government through the Ambassador of Japan to Nepal. Following the April 2015 earthquake in Nepal, JAAN, together with JNS, distributed relief materials and implemented community development programmes for affected communities.
Currently, JNS is supporting the implementation of APPIN through ISAP. Through its partner organisations, JAAN and ISAP, JNS has been supporting disaster relief programmes, conducting community development initiatives, and helping increase the income of rural communities through agricultural production and marketing.
