Kathmandu, Sep 4: Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang has donated USD 10 million to Nepal’s Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund for victims of the devastating floods in Rasuwa district, as the Himalayan nation continues to receive financial, humanitarian and technical assistance from countries and international agencies.
Nepal Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle said Huang’s contribution had pushed total donations to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund beyond NPR 10 billion (about USD 66 million).
Expressing gratitude for the contribution, Wagle said the donation by the US technology executive could encourage others to come forward and support the relief and rehabilitation efforts.
“On behalf of the government of Nepal, I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to Mr Jensen Huang for donating $10 million to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund in aid of flood victims,” Wagle said in a video message.
“I hope this sizable contribution, notable by any philanthropic standard, will inspire many others to also contribute to this noble cause,” he added.
The donation comes as Nepal grapples with the devastating impact of floods in Rasuwa, where the death toll has reached 1,259, while 5,053 people remain missing, according to the latest situation report released by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA).
The disaster has triggered a broad international humanitarian response, with several countries sending relief materials, financial assistance and specialised teams to support Nepal’s rescue and recovery operations.
India has provided 74 tonnes of relief and rescue materials in five phases and has also deployed expert teams to affected areas, Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah said.
“So far, India has provided 74 tonnes of relief and rescue materials in five phases. It has also been deploying expert teams to the affected areas for rescue operations,” Shah said in a social media post.
China has provided NPR 300 million and 50 tonnes of relief materials, while Nepal has requested Beijing to provide 30 Bailey bridges for areas affected by the floods.
Pakistan is providing 86 tonnes of relief materials, while Sri Lanka has pledged USD 1 million in assistance. Bangladesh is also preparing to send relief supplies.
The United States has pledged USD 500,000, while Australia has committed USD 1 million in cash assistance and is preparing to send a team comprising experts and drone operators to Nepal.
The United Arab Emirates has already provided 83 tonnes of essential relief materials and pledged assistance of up to USD 10 million. Qatar has supplied 40 tonnes of relief materials, while the United Kingdom has announced 5 million pounds in assistance.
Several European countries and institutions have also announced aid. The European Union has committed 2 million euros, while Switzerland has pledged USD 1 million, Denmark 3.5 million Danish kroner, Germany USD 2 million, Ireland 500,000 euros, the Czech Republic 2.5 million Czech koruna and Norway 12.7 million Norwegian kroner.
France has provided emergency relief materials for 200 households in affected areas, while Luxembourg and Latvia have also supplied relief materials.
International financial institutions have also stepped up support. The World Bank has pledged USD 167 million in concessional loans, while the Asian Development Bank has announced USD 5 million in budgetary support in the form of a grant and USD 150,000 in technical assistance.
The wide-ranging international response comes as Nepal continues rescue, medical assistance and rehabilitation operations in areas devastated by the floods.
With thousands of people still missing and large-scale damage reported in affected districts, authorities face a prolonged challenge of restoring essential infrastructure, providing relief to survivors and helping displaced families rebuild their lives.
Huang’s USD 10 million contribution adds significant private philanthropic support to Nepal’s relief fund and comes at a critical stage of the country’s recovery efforts.
