Central bar packed as Hongkongers aim to raise HK$50,000 for Nepal flood relief

On Monday night, a bustling bar in Hong Kong's Central district saw a crowd of around a hundred people gather to support victims of catastrophic floods and mudslides in Nepal. The disaster, triggered by a massive mud and rock avalanche along the Himalayan border between Nepal and Tibet, left 919 dead and 4,247 missing, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

The event, organized by Nepalese restaurateur and founder of Orchard, Alex Pun, and operators from three other bars, aimed to raise HK$50,000 (US$6,400) for Nepal's official government-run disaster relief fund. Among the patrons was Shreya Rai, a 27-year-old Nepalese PR professional who was born and raised in Hong Kong. Rai, whose relatives live in a remote, flood-prone village in eastern Nepal, expressed concern for their safety, though their village lay outside the affected region.

Another attendee, Bidhya Shrestha, a friend of Rai who works in compliance, emphasized her commitment to aiding the flood-affected families. Delphine Kong, a 33-year-old Hongkonger who works in food and beverage, said she felt compelled to support the initiative, praising the community's swift response and the hopeful atmosphere.

Even non-Nepalese residents, like Kong, felt the call to action. Dipesh Rai, a 27-year-old bartender from Orchard who has lived in both Nepal and Hong Kong, volunteered to work his day off to contribute to the cause. "The Nepalese community is small, and it's great to gather for such a great cause," he said, expressing the collective sadness over the situation.

All proceeds from the night's sales would directly benefit Nepal's disaster relief fund, as determined by Orchard founder Alex Pun. Pun, a 40-year-old restaurateur who has lived in Hong Kong since 2003, was inspired to act after friends reached out to him, asking about the safety of their loved ones in Nepal. His goal was to raise HK$50,000 through the fundraiser.