Australian Nepali communities have gathered across Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra to pray for those killed or still missing after catastrophic floods and landslides struck Nepal and the Tibet border region, as the death toll reached 469 and 39 Australians were reported missing.
Families and friends across Australia are anxiously awaiting news of loved ones who remain unaccounted for, while community organisations are organising candlelight vigils, prayer services and fundraising efforts to support those affected by the disaster.
In Sydney, the New South Wales branch of the Non-Resident Nepali Association is planning a candlelight vigil on Saturday evening, while community members have already gathered for prayers.
Chudamani Sapkota, general secretary of the association, told The Guardian that the disaster had deeply affected the Nepali diaspora.
“This is devastating news for all the Nepalese diaspora,” he said.
The organisation is also assisting Nepali Australians trying to establish the whereabouts of relatives in Nepal.
“There’s no network, nothing at the moment,” Sapkota said.
“This is a very tough time.”
In Melbourne, members of the Nepali community gathered for a multi-faith candlelight prayer on Thursday night, with attendees lighting candles around the words “Pray for Nepal”.
Keshav Kandel of the Australian Nepalese Multicultural Centre told the ABC the destruction was difficult to comprehend.
“The moment before there was a thriving town. The moment after — nothing.”
The centre has extended its opening hours so faith leaders can provide support to community members waiting for news.
Dr Tilak Pokhrel, president of the Australian Nepalese Multicultural Centre, said Victorian community organisations would organise a larger vigil to coincide with Nepal’s national day of mourning.
“Let’s work together, let’s pray together, and let’s go through this pain together.”
In Canberra, the Australia-Nepal Friendship Society is holding a candlelight vigil on the Parliament House lawns on Friday evening and has launched fundraising efforts for disaster relief.
Secretary Amrit Sharma told Region that the community had cancelled a major cultural celebration planned for September and would instead redirect its efforts towards supporting those affected in Nepal.
“We had two big artists coming from Nepal, and over 400 people were expected to come to that event,” Sharma said.
“So we decided to cancel that event because it just didn’t feel right. Instead, we’re looking to raise funds for people in Nepal.”
The society said members of other multicultural communities, including Indian, Vietnamese and Jewish Australians, had also reached out to offer support.
The Australian Government has confirmed that 39 Australians are among those reported missing and has announced a $5 million humanitarian assistance package for affected communities.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said additional Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade personnel were being deployed to support Australians affected by the disaster.
The package includes $2 million for the World Food Programme, $2 million for Australian NGOs through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership, and $1 million for the Emergency Action Alliance.
The Australian Government said the funding would support emergency food, shelter, clean water, sanitation, medical assistance and psychosocial support.
Nepal authorities said more than 1,300 people remained missing after massive flash floods and landslides tore through the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river basins.
The disaster swept away villages, destroyed roads and bridges and damaged critical infrastructure across remote areas near the Nepal-China border, making rescue and communication efforts extremely difficult.
Australian Nepali community organisations are continuing to appeal for information about missing relatives and friends as rescue operations continue.
For families in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and elsewhere across Australia, the wait for news remains agonising.
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