TWO brothers who live in Yate have raised more than £21,000 to help relatives who lost homes and livelihoods in devastating floods in Nepal.
Kabul and Bikrant Maharjan took action after 28 of their closest relatives were affected by the disaster that hit the country and neighbouring Tibet in late August.
More than 1,400 people are confirmed to have died and more than 6,000 are still missing after the floods, which were caused when a glacier collapsed, sending an avalanche of ice, rock, water and mud through river valleys below.
Kabul and Bikrant’s uncle Astaraj and aunt Nani Maya’s homes, which were next to the Trishuli River, in Trishuli Bazar (pictured above), were swept away.
Their aunt’s husband’s dementia medication was also lost in the flood waters.
Their uncle Mangal, a mechanic, heard the warning before the floods hit and managed to get his family to safety. His house was flooded. Although it is still standing, all his equipment has been destroyed and he has lost his livelihood.
Six of their cousins have lost their businesses.
‘They have lost all their valuables, memories, livelihood’
Kabul, a robotics consultant, said: “They have lost all their valuables, memories, livelihood and got away with only what they were wearing at the time. We hope to support them in getting back on their feet.”
The brothers, who moved to the UK with their parents when they were children, set up a donation page on website GoFundMe and have used some of the donations send cash parcels to those affected.
Kabul Maharjan (second right) with relatives in Trishuli last year
Kabul said: “We delivered the first round of envelopes containing cash to the family and the neighbourhood, so they can buy necessities, sanitary products and a change of clothes.”
People living in affected areas had little to no warning of the disaster, which has left thousands of children without parents.
Kabul said: “Our hope is for my mom to go over at some point to set up support for those that have been orphaned.
“While the government might support housing, we are looking to support the care and schooling for these orphaned children.”
The brothers’ appeal is still open for donations here – having passed their original target they are sending additional donations to help the community of Trishuli.
Top picture: Two images show the spot where one of Kabul and Bikrant Maharjan’s relatives’ home stood, before and after the flood