A PRAYER FOR NEPAL: One of the many recent events where Nepalis in Qatar got together to pray for their country.
By Usha Wagle Gautam
Nepali expats in Qatar have been in mourning for their country, which lost more than 8,000 people to the devastating earthquake on April 25. They have not organised any cultural programmes or picnics since the earthquake struck and have instead been focusing their energies towards collecting funds for the victims.
There are about 150 Nepalese social organisations based in Qatar and each one is highly active in trying to raise funds for the earthquake victims. Raju Thapa, who has been in Qatar since 2002, said people here have been generous with donations. “I met a man on the road [while collecting donations] and he gave me [a donation of] QR5,000.”
Last Friday, a group of Tamu Society members met at Muntazah Park to discuss how they can collect funds for the quake victims in Nepal. Nuwakot Service Society members were in the next corner discussing the same issue.
The Qatar Television managed to raise Nepali Rs780,000,000 to help the victims, while the Red Crescent in Qatar has so far raised QR12mn for Nepal.
Qatar Football Association and Reach Out to Asia (Rota) have also announced that the revenue from ticket sales of the Emir Cup’s semi-final matches will be donated to Nepal.
NRNA has donated Nepali Rs150,000,000 and has announced to rebuild 1,000 homes. Russia-based Nepalese entrepreneur Upendra Mahato has donated Nepali Rs15,000,000.
The devastation back home
Ramu Thapa, who hails from a hinterland in Sindhupalchok, has been working in Qatar since 2008. His parental house was demolished in the April 25 earthquake, while his brother’s house fell down in an aftershock on May 12. He says he talks to his parents daily, who are extremely worried about the aftershocks. The entire family has been living in the open for almost a month now. The Nonresident Nepalese Association (NRNA) — an umbrella organisation of Nepali expats — was the one to reach his village and provide them food and tents.
Rameshwor Rai from Dolakha has been in Qatar for the past two years. His village too was destroyed in the earthquake and no one there has been living inside the houses since the earthquake on April 25. The government relief was also late to come, he said, reaching the village just three days ago (three weeks after the earthquake). He said his company has given him permission to go home, but he decided against it as he wanted to complete his contract with the company, which ends in two months.
Khem Tamang from Nuwakot went to Nepal for a week and came back two days ago. Tamang says about 90% of the houses in his village have been flattened, and 80% cattle are dead. “My village looks like a forest with dried trees,” Tamang said, “And everyone is sleeping under the stars.”
Appeal for help
Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala recently appealed for $2 billion to rebuild his country.
Chargé d’affaires at the Embassy of Nepal in Doha Mani Ratna Sharma said the Government of Nepal is doing its best to deal with the situation. All the information on the government’s relief initiatives can be viewed through a web portal set up by the government, he added.
He requested all local and international agencies to deposit aid to the Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund or the Embassy’s Disaster Relief Account in Doha Bank (202-316468-001-0010-005).
Sharma said two airlines — Nepal Airlines and Qatar Airways — will ship relief materials to Nepal. The embassy has requested companies, schools or organisations willing to send relief materials to send their lists of items to the embassy. “Summer is already upon Nepals and monsoon is around the corner,” Sharma said, “So, tents won’t work for much long. I request all the international community, especially Qatar’s government, on behalf of the Government of Nepal to assist us in building temporary homes for the victims.”
People interested in helping out can visit Sharma during working hours or call him at 5021-0591. The embassy has also cancelled activities for the Nepalese Republic Day on May 26.
