‘A bus was swept away 15 minutes later’: Survivors recount narrow escapes from Nepal floods

In the aftermath of a devastating flash flood that swept through northern Nepal and the border region with Tibet on August 26, a local charity named the Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation (RLAF) has launched an urgent appeal for donations to aid affected families and communities. This appeal will run from September 1 to 14, with additional collection events planned at mosques across Singapore from September 7 to 14.

Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Zaqy Mohamad will join in a mosque collection on September 11 to support the fundraising efforts.

Those interested in contributing can do so via various methods: PayNow using RLAF’s UEN 200910530ZRLA and indicating “Nepal Floods” in the remarks, an interbank transfer to OCBC Current Account 601313315001 (Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation), a cheque payable to Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation Ltd. (with donor’s name, NRIC/UEN, contact number, and “Nepal Floods” on the back), or in person at participating mosques from September 7 to 14, where designated donation boxes bearing the RLAF and Singapore Red Cross (SRC) logos will be available.

RLAF has pledged an initial amount of $50,000 towards the relief efforts. The foundation's chief executive, Adnan Abdul Hamid, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and the devastation caused by the flash flood and emphasized the importance of the community coming together in solidarity, compassion, and action to help the affected communities recover and move towards hope and renewal.

The donations will be managed through the Singapore Red Cross (SRC), which has already raised approximately $1 million just three days after launching its public fund-raising campaign on August 28. The funds raised will be used to distribute drinking water and emergency supplies such as tarpaulins, blankets, sleeping mats, first-aid kits, and body bags.

The SRC will continue to accept donations for flood relief efforts in Nepal and Tibet until November 30.