Kathmandu— Following severe flash floods impacting the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river systems on August 26, over Rs 5 billion (approximately $40 million USD) has been deposited into the Prime Minister Natural Disaster Relief Fund as of Saturday noon, according to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. The government issued a public appeal for contributions to aid those affected by the disaster, and has established both domestic bank accounts and international deposit options in US dollars. A 'Rescue Request Portal' was launched to provide transparency regarding all funds received.

Fundraising Efforts Gain Momentum

As of Saturday noon, the Prime Minister Natural Disaster Relief Fund held over Rs 5.44 billion deposited across nine commercial banks. In addition to domestic contributions, approximately $1.88 million USD has been received through deposits at Himalayan and Laxmi Bank. The government is actively encouraging public donations to support flood relief efforts.

Transparency Measures Implemented

To ensure accountability and prevent fraud, the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) launched the 'Rescue Request Portal'. This online resource provides complete details regarding all contributions received into the Fund, both from within Nepal and internationally. The OPMCM has also emphasized the importance of verifying official QR codes before making donations to ensure funds are directed to the legitimate ‘Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund’ or ‘Prime Minister Fund’.

Full details of the fund's accounts are available on the official website of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, allowing for continued public monitoring and contribution.

(With inputs from RN)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.