Kathmandu— The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) of Nepal issued a notice on Friday expressing serious concerns regarding unauthorized fundraising efforts for victims of the Bhote Koshi floods in Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts. Individuals, groups, and organizations are reportedly collecting donations using unofficial QR codes and personal account details, prompting the PMO to urge caution when providing financial assistance. The government is emphasizing the need for transparency and proper management of contributions during this disaster relief effort, advising donors to verify official account names before making any payments.

Concerns Over Unofficial Fundraising

The PMO noted that while widespread support is being gathered for rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts, the use of unauthorized QR codes and personal accounts raises significant concerns. Spokesperson Hemraj Aryal stated the office has observed indiscriminate collection of funds through these unofficial channels. This practice risks potential financial fraud and undermines the effective allocation of aid to those in need.

Official Donation Channels

To ensure transparent usage of donations, the PMO is directing citizens to verify that all contributions are made to accounts explicitly named “Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund,” “Disaster Relief Fund,” or “PDPU.” Official QR codes and account details have been released by the government for both domestic and international donors. Individuals abroad can utilize card payment gateways through dedicated online links (pmdrf.nchl.com.np or pmrelieffund.himalayanbank.com) or scan NCHL and HBL card payment QR codes.

Available Payment Options

The PMO detailed a range of options for making donations, including Alipay+ (with 12 interoperable wallets), UPI-India via cross-border P2P transfers, and SWIFT transfers through internet banking or local bank branches. International remittance services like GME, Remitly, Wise, TapTapSend, and other domestic partners can also be used to remit funds directly to designated Nepali Rupee (NPR) accounts. A comprehensive list of designated bank accounts and their corresponding SWIFT codes across multiple banks in Nepal was provided by the PMO, including options for both NPR and US Dollar transactions.

Designated Bank Details

The notice listed account numbers for Rastriya Banijya Bank, Nepal Bank Limited, Agriculture Development Bank Limited, Everest Bank Limited, Global IME Bank, Nabil Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Laxmi Sunrise Bank Ltd, and Himalayan Bank Ltd. Specific QR code availability was also outlined; Fonepay QR codes support multiple banks including Rastriya Banijya Bank Ltd, while NepalPAY QR codes are available for Standard Chartered Bank Ltd, Laxmi Sunrise Bank Ltd, and Agriculture Development Bank Ltd.

The PMO has provided contact information through Singha Durbar, Hello Sarkar, and the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) for those seeking further clarification or wishing to report suspicious fundraising activities.

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.