By Joseph Varghese/Staff Reporter
Nepal embassy officials have called for financial assistance from all segments of the society for providing relief work for the victims of the devastating earthquake that rattled the country last week.
Speaking to Gulf Times, Nitesh Sapkota, second secretary at Nepal embassy said that more financial contributions are needed to meet the huge relief activities in the country. “We are more focused on financial contributions. We are also making arrangements for sending material donations such as clothes, tents and blankets. We are in the process of negotiations with several cargo companies. But the priority is for financial contributions,” he said.
Nitesh Sapkota said: “We are getting a lot of calls from different organisations. Individuals, schools, companies and social organisations have informed us their willingness to help.”
“Some organisations and individuals have sent money to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund. We have received one receipt from an individual who has contributed. We request everyone who sends money to the fund to send us the receipts so that we can publish their names on the website along with the amount,” he said.
The official noted: “We will also open an account under the name of the embassy.We will announce the account number once it is processed. This will enable the people to contribute easily in Qatar. Once we get all the money, it will be sent to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund.”
As for material contributions, Sapkota said: “We are in negotiation with some cargo companies.We are also in constant touch with charity organisations and the plans will be finalised tomorrow. Then we will identify a drop centre for depositing the materials. They will be collected and dispersed to Nepal probably on a daily basis.”
The embassy official said that the embassy had already provided the helpline numbers. “People can contact us anytime. The embassy works from 9 am to 5 pm.They can also call on my mobile number (50349940). We estimate that only about 25-30% of the workers in Qatar are from the affected areas. So far, we have no information about any causalities or injuries about people who are working in Qatar.We will have to wait until the dead bodies are identified and proper communication facilities are established.”
Labour Attache at the embassy, Lila Nath Dahal said that only about 10 people had approached the embassy for travelling to Nepal. “Some people had contacted us for going to Nepal and we have contacted the concerned companies and requested them to make arrangements for their exit permit and leave for a certain period. So far all companies have agreed. Sponsors of some of the workers had personally visited the embassy and enquired about the situation as well as the areas affected by the earthquake.”
Mani Ratna Shrestha , Charge de Affairs at Nepalese embassy who took charge last Sunday said that more than ten countries have promised to support the country. “Last Sunday, there was a meeting of National Co-ordination Committee of Non-resident Nepalese Association in which all members decided to help their country collectively. Many of the entrepreneurs came directly to the embassy and disclosed that they have many Nepalese workers in their companies and are willing to assist.”
Shrestha said that all those who want to contribute financially can directly deposit their contributions into the following bank account numbers:
Everest bank ltd: Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund: 00101102200012
Everest bank ltd: Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund: 00100105200270
Global Bank ltd: Prime minister Disaster Relief Fund: 0411010000005
Nepal Bangladesh Bank ltd: Prime minister Disaster Relief Fund: 035141C
Nepal Bank ltd: Prime minister Disaster Relief Fund: 002-11-053313
Standard Chartered Bank ltd: Prime minister Disaster Relief Fund: 01-0132438-01.
