Kathmandu, August 28
More than Rs 1.91 billion has been collected in the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund within 36 hours of the government appealing for donations, according to the Ministry of Finance.
The ministry said Rs 1.918 billion was deposited into accounts maintained at 10 commercial banks between noon on Wednesday and midnight Thursday.
A total of Rs 1.918 billion was deposited by donors during the period.
The government began receiving donations after a devastating flood swept through the Bhotekoshi River along the Nepal-China border on Wednesday morning, causing extensive loss of life and property. The Cabinet subsequently declared the affected areas disaster zones.
Individuals and organisations began contributing to the relief fund following the government’s appeal.
The government has designated the Ministry of Finance as the focal ministry for coordinating donations to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle is personally receiving institutional donations of Rs 10 million or more.
Individuals wishing to make cash contributions can also visit the ministry to hand over their donations.
With the latest contributions, the fund’s balance has reached Rs 4.091 billion. It had a balance of Rs 2.172 billion before the recent donations.
The ministry also received Rs 273.3 million in contributions from private-sector donors within six hours on Thursday.
The amount does not include funds pledged by various friendly countries.
