The Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund in Nepal has received more than ₹229.5 crore in donations following massive flash floods that struck the Himalayan nation.
The disaster, which began on Wednesday, has caused widespread devastation across towns and villages, washing away homes, vehicles, roads, and bridges, while also damaging hydropower projects. According to official figures, the death toll has surged to 626, with rescue teams continuing search and relief operations.
Authorities report that nearly 2,500 people have been evacuated, while more than 2,400 individuals remain missing. In response to the crisis, the Nepal government declared the affected regions as disaster zones, prompting a swift influx of contributions from various organizations and individuals.
Data from the Prime Minister's Office indicates rapid mobilization of funds. The relief mechanism received Rs 1.91 billion within 36 hours from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday midnight, followed by an additional Rs 385.5 million donated on Friday. These recent inflows have raised the fund's total balance from ₹217 crore to ₹409 crore.
The Ministry of Finance has been designated as the focal ministry responsible for collecting contributions and coordinating assistance. Deposits are currently being channeled through accounts held at 10 different commercial banks.
To streamline large contributions, Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle has been personally accepting donations of ₹1 crore or more from institutional donors, as confirmed by the minister's secretariat. Meanwhile, individual donors can make cash contributions by visiting the ministry in person.
At a cabinet meeting on Friday, Prime Minister Balendra Shah and members of his cabinet decided that all cabinet members, including the Prime Minister, will donate one month's salary to support the ongoing disaster relief and rehabilitation efforts.
"The rapid mobilization of over ₹200 crore in just three days demonstrates the critical importance of immediate liquidity management during humanitarian crises. For businesses and governance structures alike, establishing centralized financial coordination—such as Nepal's Ministry of Finance channeling funds through designated commercial banks—ensures transparency and accountability when deploying emergency capital. Effective institutional frameworks are essential to manage large-scale resource allocation swiftly and efficiently." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes
