THE Nepalese Community in Cairns has wrapped up its appeal for donations to help victims of the Nepalese Earthquake, thanks to a local company confirming that it will transport the goods to Sydney.
Earlier this week, appeal coordinator Avishek Singh advised Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch that the group had secured transport of the goods from Sydney to Kathmandu through Disaster Support Nepal, a non-profit which is sending emergency and essential donated items from Australia to heavily affected areas of Nepal.
“Fortunately, Cairns company Pack & Send then very generously provided the Nepalese group with a discounted rate to transport the goods to Disaster Support Nepal’s warehouse in Sydney, and collected all the boxed goods on Tuesday,” Mr Entsch said.
“This is a great result ? my sincere appreciation to Pack & Send. It’s great to see this support from a local company. Also, to Cairns Regional Council, who not only provided the School of Arts space but also waived the fees and charges for the group’s Candlelight Vigil on 1st March.”
Disaster Support Nepal is working with Rotary International District 3292, Kathmandu, who will receive and distribute the goods on the ground in Nepal.
“This will ensure that the items which Far Northern locals have so generously donated will get to the people who need it most in this earthquake-devastated region,” Mr Entsch said.
Members of the local Nepalese community sorted through a huge amount of donations and packed around 1000kg of blankets, tents and warm clothing into packing boxes.
Donations that were unsuitable to be sent to Nepal have been donated to the Salvation Army.
Mr Singh thanked the FNQ community for their extraordinary support of the appeal ? in addition to the many items donated, the group received around $5000 in contributions.
Mr Singh says they will use a portion of funds raised to pay for the transport through Pack & Send, with the remainder going to Disaster Support Nepal and to purchase medical supplies and food for earthquake victims in Nepal.
The group has also asked that any further financial donations be made to organisations such as Red Cross or Oxfam.
Nationally, the Australian Government is providing additional support to help the people of Nepal recover from the devastating earthquakes, with an extra $10 million to provide critical assistance to help people rebuild their lives. It will support:
– women and vulnerable communities, to establish small businesses and generate income;
– vulnerable children to go back to school, with a focus on girls and children with disability; and
– rebuilding better and safer education infrastructure with advice from Australian engineering experts
This announcement brings Australia’s contribution to the Nepal earthquake to more than $20 million.
