Two months on from the devastating flash floods that swept through Nepal, emergency shelter is still urgently needed.
For families like Shyam Lal Shrestha, the devastation was sudden and overwhelming.
‘When I saw the water rushing towards us, I realised how serious the situation was. We had very little time to think or collect our belongings. Our main priority was simply to get ourselves and our animals to a safe place.’
Others, like Narayan Nepali, returned to find everything gone.
‘When I reached home, I could hardly believe what I saw. My house was gone, and so was my sewing machine. Sewing was our only source of income. We are just trying to understand how we can start our lives again from here.’
Since the disaster, the Rotary Club of Byron Bay has rallied behind families who lost their homes, raising thousands of dollars to support ShelterBox Australia’s relief efforts. The charity is part of the global ShelterBox network specialising in emergency shelter for families affected by conflict or disaster.
‘Living in the Northern Rivers region of NSW, we understand the devastation flooding can cause,’ said Ian Dipple, the President of the Rotary Club of Byron Bay.
‘Byron Rotary has responded by rattling collection buckets every Thursday at the Byron Farmers Market, raising $5,000, through the generosity of local residents and visitors.
‘Every cent raised will go towards supporting flood victims in Nepal through the disaster-relief organisation ShelterBox.’
Donate online at: www.shelterboxaustralia.org.au.
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