Local Nepalese Respond to Earthquake Back Home
Many thousands died in the Saturday earthquake that devastated Nepal. One day later, the aftershocks continue to terrorize survivors. And here in New York City, the Nepalese community and others gathered in Jackson Heights, Queens to pray and raise money for their loved ones.
Mohommed Kahn dropped $10 in a bucket of cash donations for the earthquake victims. He is from Bangladesh but said the two countries are neighbors and needed to support each other.
"I am always thinking somebody's problem is my problem. So [no matter] how much I have I try to help them," he said.
In the background, a local imam sang a muslim prayer for the dead. In front of him sat dozens of Nepalese holding white pieces of paper that read, "Pray for Nepal." Sarun Shrestha was among them. The 19-year-old student said her mother, brothers and sisters survived the earthquake but three uncles lost their lives. She said they had been visiting a famous monument called Bhimsen Tower when the earthquake hit, causing it to collapse. Shrestha said she was keeping in close contact and her family was telling her that it was cold, rainy and they are living on the street.
"It makes me feel really bad because I am not with my family right now," she said. "I feel like if I was with them, I might be able to help them."
Rabin Pandey of Kew Gardens Hills, Queens also feared for his family. He said his parents and young son were camped outside and were keeping in touch via cell phone. Pandey said his family was ok but the earthquake aftershocks were causing them great distress. "They are getting them every hour or so. So they are very scared," he said.
Pralay Raj Bhandari said he organized the Jackson Heights event and said any funds being raised would not go to the government but sent directly to families living in shelters. He said he came to the U.S. to get his Master's degree and his entire family was still in Nepal, including his father who he spoke to earlier in the day.
"He sounds ok but the thing is I know I can feel his pain," Raj Bhandari said. "He just sounded ok purposely so that I wouldn't be worried."
The Nepalese born and raised immigrant said he was expecting many more people to gather in the plaza in Jackson Heights for an evening vigil.
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