Nepali community in Iceland raises aid for flood victims

The Nepali community in Iceland is joining forces to support people affected by devastating floods in Nepal, mbl.is reported. It will hold a charity meal on Saturday, with proceeds going to people who have lost their homes, possessions and loved ones.

The floods began after a glacial collapse near the Nepal Tibet border on August 26 sent huge quantities of water, mud and rocks through villages. Roads were destroyed and homes were buried. At least 1,300 people have died and about 5,500 remain missing.

Kushu Gurung, who has lived in Iceland for more than two decades, said her immediate family was not directly affected. However, a person connected to her husband’s family was in the disaster zone and had not been located when she spoke to mbl.is.

“I have lived in Iceland for 25 years, but my roots are still there. Even if it is not our hometown, these are our people,” Gurung said.

She said the disaster had been difficult for the Nepali community in Iceland, with many people moved to tears by videos from the affected areas. The images had also touched people outside the community, she said.

After the scale of the disaster became clear, the community held an emergency meeting and decided to organise the fundraiser. Nepali women will prepare the food, while chefs and other volunteers will help with serving, setting tables and other tasks.

The event will take place in the cafeteria of Mjólkursamsalan at Bitruháls 1 from noon to 3pm on Saturday. Admission costs 4,990 Icelandic krónur for adults and 2,490 krónur for children aged six to 12.

The Nepali Association in Iceland also organised an emergency fundraiser after the deadly earthquake in Nepal in 2015.