In short:
Residents from Wyndham and Melbourne’s west are invited to join Victoria’s Nepali community at a Federation Square candlelight vigil on 31 August. The gathering will remember victims of the devastating Nepal floods and landslides and show solidarity with families affected by the disaster.
A Humble Invitation To Support
Residents across Wyndham and Melbourne’s west are being invited to head into the city this evening and stand alongside Victoria’s Nepali community following the devastating floods and landslides in Nepal.
A candlelight vigil will be held at Federation Square from 6.30pm to 7.30pm on 31 August, giving people an opportunity to remember those who have lost their lives and show support for families still waiting for news.
The disaster struck the Rasuwa District near the Nepal-China border on 26 August, with major flash flooding and a mudslide causing widespread destruction to communities and infrastructure. As of 30 August, 42 Australians remained unaccounted for.
The tragedy is being felt particularly strongly across Wyndham and Melbourne’s western suburbs, which are home to a significant Nepali community with close family and cultural ties to Nepal.
Melbourne Nepalese Community West cancelled its planned Teej festival following news of the disaster and instead moved to raise money for relief efforts.
MNCW President Bikram Sharma Pangeni said the impact stretched well beyond Nepal.
“For us, this is not simply a disaster happening thousands of kilometres away. These are our families, our relatives, our friends and our communities.
“Many people here have lost loved ones, and the whole community is deeply saddened. In this difficult time, we want to stand together with Nepal and do whatever we can to support the people affected.”
People attending tonight’s vigil are asked to bring electric candles or lights rather than open flames.
