Ways to Support Flood Relief in Nepal and Tibet
Our hearts are with everyone affected by the devastating floods in Nepal and Tibet, including those who have lost loved ones, homes, livelihoods, and access to their communities.
We know that many in the BCBS community may be wondering how they can help. We are grateful for that impulse toward generosity, and we want to make it easier for those who wish to offer support.
Below are several organizations and relief efforts suggested by members of our community.
Karuna-Shechen
Founded by Matthieu Ricard, Karuna-Shechen has longstanding humanitarian programs in Nepal and across the Himalayan region. Following the August 26 floods, it committed €500,000 to the response and launched an emergency fund. Its teams in Nepal are assessing needs and ways to assist affected communities, including in Dhading District, where the organization already works.
Support Karuna-Shechen’s Nepal flood response →
Direct Relief
Direct Relief has supported Nepal’s health system for more than 40 years. It is responding with emergency funding, medicines, medical supplies, and equipment for Nepali healthcare partners, including Mountain Heart Nepal and Dhulikhel Hospital, while coordinating with Nepal’s Ministry of Health. Direct Relief states that 100% of donations to its Nepal Flood Relief Fund will go toward this response.
Support Direct Relief’s Nepal Flood Relief Fund →
GlobalGiving Nepal Flood Relief Fund
GlobalGiving’s Nepal Flood Relief Fund provides funding to local organizations responding to the disaster. Donations will help provide search and rescue, medical care, shelter, food, clean water, and other emergency assistance, as well as longer-term recovery and rebuilding, particularly in marginalized, remote, and hard-to-reach communities. GlobalGiving states that all donations to the fund will be used for relief and recovery from this specific disaster.
Support the GlobalGiving Nepal Flood Relief Fund →
Nepal Red Cross Society / International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Nepal Red Cross Society teams are providing clean water, shelter, first aid, and emergency supplies to affected communities. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched a CHF 25 million emergency appeal for the Nepal Red Cross response. Donations are made to the IFRC, which says it will channel the funds to the Nepal Red Cross Society and ensure accountability for their use.
Because the IFRC is an international organization based in Switzerland, U.S. donors should not assume that contributions are tax-deductible.
Support the Nepal Flash Floods Emergency Appeal →
Friends of ADWAN Nepal / ADWAN
The Association for Dalit Women’s Advancement of Nepal (ADWAN) has worked since 1998 with Dalit women, children, and other marginalized communities in Nepal. Its network includes 253 women’s groups with 6,200 members, and ADWAN has provided relief following previous disasters, including the 2015 earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic.
ADWAN does not currently have a separate public donation page for these floods, so the link below supports its broader work in Nepal.
Support Friends of ADWAN Nepal →
Government of Nepal Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund
The Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund is the Government of Nepal’s official disaster-relief fund. It is a government fund rather than a charitable nonprofit, and its donation portal accepts both domestic and international credit and debit cards.
U.S. donors should not assume that contributions to the fund are tax-deductible.
Support the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund →
Avaaz Nepal Floods Emergency Appeal
Avaaz, an international civic and advocacy organization, has established an emergency appeal for the Nepal floods.
Avaaz states that nearly 80% of the funds it raises go directly to its campaigns. Its donation terms also state that if a contribution cannot be used for its specified purpose, including because an appeal is oversubscribed, it may be used for further campaigning on the same issue or on other critical issues. Avaaz Foundation is a U.S. 501(c)(4), and contributions are not tax-deductible in the United States.
Support Avaaz’s Nepal Floods Emergency Appeal →
We hope these resources are useful to anyone in our community who would like to respond through generosity. We continue to hold in our hearts all those affected, and all those working to bring relief and care.
