London, October 4
The Lamichhane Foundation has donated NPR 1.07 crore (£51,727) to support victims of the recent floods in Nepal’s Bhote Koshi region.
The UK Charity Commission-registered foundation, chaired by UK-based entrepreneur and philanthropist Rabindra Jung Lamichhane, transferred the donation directly to the official bank account of the Embassy of Nepal in London.
The embassy said the funds will be transferred to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund.
During a ceremony at the embassy, Lamichhane handed over the cheque to Bipin Duwadi, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of Nepal in London, and Vidushi Rana, a member of parliament from the Rastriya Swatantra Party.
Calls for diaspora support
Speaking at the event, Rana thanked Lamichhane for the contribution and said support from the Nepali diaspora would be important for post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction.
She said Nepalis living abroad, including those in the UK, had responded generously following the floods.
Rana also said she had met British parliamentarians during her visit to the UK to seek support for Nepal’s post-flood reconstruction efforts.
According to Rana, Nepal could need to spend nearly 10 percent of its GDP on reconstruction, making international support important.
Former British Labour Party MP Virendra Sharma also praised Lamichhane’s contribution, saying he had been involved in humanitarian initiatives as well as efforts to strengthen UK-Nepal relations.
Duwadi expressed gratitude to the foundation and recalled Lamichhane’s support during the 2015 earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said the Nepal government is currently focused on rehabilitation and reconstruction following the latest disaster.
‘I cannot remain a passive bystander’
Lamichhane said supporting Nepal during times of crisis was a moral responsibility.
“I love my country. When disaster strikes, I cannot remain a passive bystander,” he said. “Seeing the devastation caused by the recent floods broke my heart, which motivated me to raise these funds.”
He also thanked donors and friends of Nepal who contributed through the foundation.
Lamichhane, who founded London-based fashion businesses Genie London and Ravi Famous Ltd, has been involved in various humanitarian and community initiatives in Nepal and the UK.
The foundation said his previous support has included relief following the 2015 earthquake and assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the 2015 earthquake, Lamichhane provided relief materials through the Nepal Army and Nepal Police and donated NPR 51 lakh to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund.
During the second wave of COVID-19, he donated NPR 15 lakh to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund and helped provide 33 portable oxygen concentrators to Nepal in cooperation with a UK-based organisation.
The foundation also said Lamichhane has supported education and youth development through scholarships and sports initiatives, while contributing to cultural and community projects in Nepal and the UK.
He currently supports scholarships for 55 students through the Ravichandra Trust in Nepal.
Lamichhane is also involved in UK-Nepal trade and investment initiatives and has facilitated several meetings and engagements involving Nepali and British political and business leaders.
