DHARAMSHALA: Education Kalon Ngodup Tsering and Secretary Ngodup Dorjee of Finance Department, held a press conference today to apprise the situation of Tibetans in Nepal following their visit to the country to assess the damages caused by the recent earthquakes. The duo visited Nepal as representatives of the Tibetan Kashag.
“The situation in Nepal is critical and in dire in need of support and aid,” Kalon Ngodup Tsering said at the press conference.
“The Central Tibetan Administration has so far sanctioned NPR 60 Lacs towards relief assistance for Tibetans in Nepal. We will continue to send financial aid and moral support till the situation returns to normalcy,” he assured.
Kalon Ngodup Tsering visited the Tibetan settlements and monasteries in Kathmandu city particularly the Tibetan Handicraft Center, Tibetan Reception Centre and the various Tibetan offices in the city from 18 – 21 May.
He met the settlement officer and the Tibetan community in Jwalakhel and discussed their problems and grievances. He also met with the Tibetan earthquake relief committee, headed by Mr. Tamdin Dorje, Coordinator for Tibetans in Nepal, and discussed ways of reconstruction.
Secretary Ngodup Dorjee visited the Tibetan settlements in Pokhra and Tibetan families residing in Shabru and Thempoche in Rasuwa district from 13 – 19 May. He met with the public, the settlement officers, and members of various Tibetan associations during his assessment tour.
“The situation in Shabru and Thempoche is quite grave, as most of the buildings, schools, offices and homes were severely affected,” the Secretary explained.
Kalon Ngodup Tsering and Secretary Ngodup Dorjee specially lauded the efforts and relief operations carried out by Tibetan monks and nuns in Nepal after the earthquake. “It was really heartwarming and inspiring to see Tibetan monks and nuns from all schools of Tibetan Buddhism and Bon religion organising themselves to provide help to those affected by the quake,” the duo said.
A massive earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale hit Nepal on 25 April, leaving the country devastated. Immediately after news of the earthquake reached India, His Holiness the Dalai Lama sent a condolence letter to the Nepalese government, expressing his sadness and solidarity. His Holiness also pledged NPR 50 Lacs towards relief from the Dalai Lama Trust.
The Kashag of the Central Tibetan Administration also held an emergency meeting on 26 April and provided NPR 21 Lacs as token of contribution towards rescue and relief efforts in the country. The contribution was made through the Tibetan Coordinator’s office based in Kathmandu.
The Central Tibetan Administration further provided NPR 60 Lacs as relief for Tibetans affected by the earthquake in Nepal. The amount was provided to the six-member Tibetan earthquake relief committee, which was formed to oversee the distribution of funds allocated by the Kashag and other organisations towards assistance in Nepal. So far, the funds were used for the treatment of those injured and for the cremation of those who died in the tragedy.
For future renovation and rebuilding projects in Nepal, the Kashag has instructed its Representatives abroad and the Settlement Officers to collect donations from their respective areas.