Since the end of August 2026, the Nepal Australia Friendship Association (NAFA) has been raising funds through an appeal to support communities affected by this natural disaster. To date, the appeal has raised approximately $60,000—an outstanding result and a testament to the generosity of donors who value our guarantee that 100% of funds raised will go directly to NAFA-supported projects in Nepal. We again extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has donated.

Our previous communiqué outlined how NAFA intends to allocate the funds raised. We will follow our long-standing community development framework: understand the context, consult local leaders, identify needs and priorities, assess proposals, and agree on practical projects that communities support and available funds can deliver.

Update on Consultations with Local Communities to Identify Unmet Needs and Priorities

Unlike before and after the 2015 earthquake, NAFA committee members do not have direct relationships with the affected communities. Three Nepal-based NAFA volunteers—with strong links to mayors and other community leaders in the affected areas—will therefore work together to identify/develop proposals and negotiate solutions from a range of sources for NAFA to consider before allocating appeal funds.

The three volunteers leading NAFA’s response—Bijaya Rajbhandari, Chandra Tamang and Kanchha Tamang—have held two online meetings with NAFA President Rod Setterlund and Secretary Russ Waller to review progress and discuss:

  • the situation in Nepal and progress of NAFA’s landslide flood appeal;
  • timelines for identifying, developing and assessing prospective proposals;
  • NAFA’s priorities and the process for considering proposals;
  • a field visit to the affected areas by Bijaya, Chandra and Kanchha; and
  • the implications of visits to Nepal by NAFA executive officers in November 2026 (Russ) and January 2027 (Rod and Deb).

Key points from the meetings included:

  • A late monsoon continues to make access difficult for all INGOs working in the affected areas.
  • Other INGOs face the same challenge and similar timelines as NAFA in consulting community leaders and identifying priority infrastructure and other needs.
  • The Dashain (11–25 October) and Tihar (7–15 November) holidays will affect the timing of field visits by any INGO.
  • Bijaya, Chandra and Kanchha have strong contacts in the affected areas, including: a Nepal Army General overseeing coordination among INGOs, the UN and government agencies; mayors of rural municipalities; local leaders and government officials who can help navigate the significant approvals required for infrastructure projects, such as the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and the Social Welfare Council (SWC).

Agreed actions and next steps:

  • Before Russ arrives in mid-November, Bijaya, Chandra and Kanchha will consult/meet with their contacts and potential funding partners in Kathmandu.
  • After these consultations, they will prepare a contact list to guide a field visit beginning the week after Russ arrives in Kathmandu.
  • Following the field visit, proposals for allocating appeal funds will be submitted to the NAFA committee—ideally before the end of November.
  • Strong proposals developed sooner may be considered. NAFA could approve one or more proposal and, if appropriate, seek further donations through December’s Christmas Appeal.

Mayors have advised that they cannot approve infrastructure proposals until the Nepalese Government releases its geotechnical assessment of the affected areas. Some villages may need to be resettled in safer locations.  So as not to be caught up in an undue delay waiting for the release of the technical report, NAFA may need to focus on “softer” projects that can move through the approval process more readily, while still making a meaningful difference—for example, repairing and refurnishing flood-damaged schools or providing microfinance for new income-generating initiatives for women who have lost their partner in the flood.

Identifying and developing proposals, negotiating solutions and securing approvals may take three to six months. We are committed to getting it right. We again ask our loyal donors for patience as we follow the community development process that has guided NAFA successfully for nearly 20 years, including our response to the 2015 earthquake.

Thank you and Kind Regards,

Rod Setterlund OAM, NAFA President