AI Generated Summary
- The gathering brought together members of the Nepalese diaspora, government representatives and community organisations in a collective show of solidarity with those struggling in the aftermath of the floods.
- New Zealand’s Sikh community has pledged $50,000 towards relief efforts for families affected by the devastating floods in Nepal, as political leaders and community groups gathered in Auckland to mobilise support for the disaster-hit country.
- He said an SGPC team had been deployed to the affected areas and was operating Langar, the Sikh tradition of community kitchens, to provide meals to people in need.
New Zealand’s Sikh community has pledged $50,000 towards relief efforts for families affected by the devastating floods in Nepal, as political leaders and community groups gathered in Auckland to mobilise support for the disaster-hit country.
The contribution was announced at a fundraising event organised by the New Zealand Nepal Society on Friday night. The gathering brought together members of the Nepalese diaspora, government representatives and community organisations in a collective show of solidarity with those struggling in the aftermath of the floods.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon attended the event and reiterated his government’s commitment to assisting Nepal. He announced $3.1 million in relief support and said he had spoken with Nepal’s Prime Minister Balen Shah earlier in the day about the situation.
The Central Sikh Association was represented at the gathering by Daljit Singh, who announced the Sikh community’s $50,000 contribution. Extending condolences to families who had lost loved ones, Singh said the community stood alongside the people of Nepal during the difficult period of relief and recovery.
Singh also highlighted humanitarian assistance being provided in Nepal by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).
He said an SGPC team had been deployed to the affected areas and was operating Langar, the Sikh tradition of community kitchens, to provide meals to people in need. Five trucks carrying relief material had also been dispatched for flood-affected communities.
The consignments included generators, solar lights, blankets, utensils and other essential supplies required by families coping with the destruction. The SGPC’s relief initiatives received applause from Prime Minister Luxon and others present at the gathering.
The Auckland fundraiser reflected a broader community effort to support Nepal, with representatives from across New Zealand expressing condolences and calling for sustained assistance as the country begins the long process of rebuilding.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters addressed the gathering and acknowledged the hardships being faced by families affected by the disaster. He extended his sympathies to those who had suffered losses.
Auckland Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson conveyed the support of the city’s diverse communities, while former Honorary Consul General Dinesh Khadka spoke about relief initiatives undertaken by the Nepalese community and stressed the need for continued assistance during the recovery phase.
Labour Party representative Vanushi Walters was also present and expressed solidarity with New Zealand’s Nepalese community.
The Auckland initiative brought together government, diaspora and community organisations at a time when relief agencies and volunteers are working to provide immediate assistance to flood-affected families and help communities rebuild their lives.
