EMERGENCY NEPAL

Dear Kiwanis Asia Pacific and Europe Officers, 

We have all been watching the global news regarding the horrible then, the picture has grown considerably more serious. Confirmed deaths now exceed 1,000+, with nearly 4,000 people still missing, and this has become Nepal’s deadliest natural disaster since the 2015 earthquake. Homes, schools, health centers, roads, and bridges have been destroyed downstream along the Trishuli River. Many of our own Kiwanis family in Nepal are living in the middle of it. 

When something of this scale happens to a community, we are part of, the instinct to send help immediately is the right instinct. It is what our members are made of. I know several of you are carrying questions from clubs that want to do something today. 

Over the last week in two (2) communications, we shared with our KI and KCF boards that neither Kiwanis International nor the Kiwanis Children’s Fund provides direct financial or emergency assistance in response to natural disasters. The Children’s Fund did so years ago and discontinued the practice. Disasters occur constantly around the world, and responding well requires logistics, field presence and accountability infrastructure that we don’t have. Doing it poorly would help no one and would put donors’ trust at risk.  

The need is undoubtedly great, but our organization is not structured to respond in a direct and impactful way. We would encourage members instead to give through established international relief organizations such as the Red Cross or Direct Relief, or through the official Nepal government fund portal: https://pmdrf.nchl.com.np/. 

Additionally, the Kiwanis Nepal District has established its own relief fund and is asking the Kiwanis family for support. Their focus is on children affected by the flooding: school supplies, books, uniforms and learning materials; support for children who have lost parents or homes; temporary learning centers where schools are unusable; and repair of damaged classrooms. Clubs and districts that wish to give directly may do so: 

https://kiwanisnepal.org/donate-2/ 

Account Name: KIWANIS CHILDREN FUND NEPAL 
Bank: Nepal Investment Mega Bank, Thamel Branch 
Account No: 13201050051927 
SWIFT: NIBLNPKT 
Purpose: Disaster Relief Fund 

Please note, despite the similarity in name, this account is established and administered by the Kiwanis Nepal District. It is not the Kiwanis Children’s Fund, it isn’t held or audited by Kiwanis International, and contributions to it should not be assumed to be tax-deductible in the United States. We are sharing because our members asked how to support Kiwanis Nepal directly, and this is the channel Kiwanis Nepal has opened. Governor Thapaliya has committed to providing reports on the use of funds received. 

Thank you for your concern, for the care you have shown for our members in Nepal, and for all you do for the children of the world. 

With appreciation,
Michael Mulhaul
2025-26 Kiwanis International President