Today the Nepalese community in Central Florida is busy figuring out how to help the grieving people of Nepal following a deadly earthquake and aftershocks.
Sunday, a local business owned by a Nepalese family became the “headquarters” for Central Florida efforts to help Nepal following the devastating earthquake and aftershocks that killed more than 2,000 people.
One survivor was on the phone with relatives in Orlando when one of the powerful aftershocks hit. Binita Devkota is a member of UCF’s Nepali Student Association.
“And he starts screaming, it’s coming. It’s coming, referring to the earthquake and he said he was about to fall and he just ran out of the house,” said Devkota.
The people who gathered on Sunday to organize logistics include Bikash Devkota. He is the Florida president of the Nepalese association, United FNA-FANS.
His wife and daughters were also there, along with other Nepalese Central Florida leaders. Binita and Asmita Devkota are two of his daughters. Both are UCF students. They’re also organizing relief efforts through their college organization, UCF Nepali Student Association.
“I have an exam tomorrow, Tuesday and Wednesday so it’s been really to concentrate on my studies as this is happening because this is heartbreaking. It makes me tear up every time I think about it,” said Asmita Devkota, adding “I just can’t imagine how it’s like back home.”
Even as they mobilize, the generations represented mourn the loss of life, the loss of property and the loss of historical landmarks.
Sunday, the group started a Facebook page dedicated to an upcoming vigil here in Orlando.
“This is a very big tragedy,” said Bikash Devkota, “as soon as possible, I’d like to help in my country.”