Kopan Monastery monks preparing for more emergency relief work, Nepal, May 1, 2015

As the shaking of the ground in Nepal tapers off and electricity returns to Kathmandu, relief efforts have been moving forward. Ven. Roger Kunsang shared that the first aid shipment to Thame arrived on May 1.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche offered US$50,000 in initial emergency aid through FPMT’s Nepal Earthquake Support Fund to help families in the Thame area. Thame, located near Lawudo in Solu Khumbu, is Rinpoche’s place of birth and nearly all buildings there were destroyed by the earthquake. (You can find photos of the destruction here.) The location is remote and difficult to reach.

Rinpoche’s brother Sangay Sherpa, who directs the Lawudo Gompa and Retreat Centre, and Ven. Nyima Tashi primarily organized the effort. The first shipment, which included tent material for more than 190 families, was flown to Lukla and then helicoptered to Thame. It arrived safely along with five Kopan monks to help manage the distribution. The flight to Lukla was sponsored by Goma Air. Charok Lama Sherpa, who is a 22-year-old rinpoche studying at Sera Monastery, is also from the area and helping sponsor the relief. He will be traveling to the area next week and will personally oversee the relief activities.

The next shipment to go up is for food supplies for one month for all 190 families. Food will take longer to get up there. Ven. Roger said, “gathering materials and food is very difficult as there are shortages.”

The monks from Kopan Monastery have been very active distributing food and water locally and in the areas around Kathmandu. Some of the young monks got involved, donating their blankets to earthquake victims, according to Ven. Thubten Jinpa. 

Young Kopan monks donating blankets to earthquake victims, Nepal, May 1

“Kopan monks are going to one of the hardest hit places tomorrow,” Ven. Roger said. “It is one day’s drive to get there and back, they are delivering food, blankets and clothing.” Kopan Monastery described some of their relief work from today on Facebook:

“We loaded more than 100 sacks of rice, dal, salt and oil and went to distribute in Chapagaon, ward 7 [a village south of Kathmandu]. Meanwhile another group was set up for cleaning. There’s fear of the spread of disease, which often happens after earthquakes. We cleaned the most affected area of Kopan village.

“We witnessed that normality among the people came much better than other days. Shops are opened, restaurants are opening, normal life is returning slowly in the valley. We know there are still many places outside the valley where people need lots of helps, especially around the Sindupalchok district, where more than 1,800 are dead and around 3,000 missing.

“Still it is a little confusing about what really they need. Tents are for sure, because those people whose homes got affected need to stay outside till they get recovered. Maybe they may need food and blankets. So, we’re looking forward to prepare those things as much as we can and will head tomorrow to those areas. We decided to send two groups, one to the Sindupalchok and other one to Rasuwa.”

Losang Namgyal Rinpoche with workers from the Namgyal Rinpoche Foundation and aid to be delivered to Tamang communities, Kathmandu, Nepal

Losang Namgyal Rinpoche, a Kopan monk and a lama for the Tamang people, one of the largest ethnic groups in Nepal, has for several years been doing work through the Namgyal Rinpoche Foundation in remote areas, building schools and creating stupas. (This work has been supported in part by Lama Zopa Rinpoche through the Lama Zopa Rinpoche Bodhichitta Fund.) Their teams are now very active in relief efforts, sending aid to different parts, including as many remote districts as they are able to get to. The Tamang, who are Buddhist, may have experienced devastating losses from the earthquake as they live in very remote mountainous areas and are often very poor. 

Lama Zopa Rinpoche is also going to help Losang Namgyal Rinpoche with supplies for Tamang people. Losang Namgyal Rinpoche shared on Facebook on May 1 a short report on the situation:

“Now we receive requests for supplies from many villages, but we are still unable to help. Only some has been benefited. We try our best to help all. We are here for long-term helping, so there are many things we have to be aware of as there are terms and conditions from the government. We will continue to assist no matter what. We cannot give out all, it has to be organized. Many are receiving help already. It can three months at least to know the all the casualties. After that, it take from a year to 7 years to complete, so long way to go. ….”

Kopan monks moving feed for the animals at the Animal Liberation Sanctuary, Kathmandu, Nepal

Phil Hunt, a coordinator of the Animal Liberation Sanctuary, which is a project of Kopan Monastery, has been sharing his reports on the work being done to look after animals in the wake of the earthquake on his news blog for Tree of Compassion. The animals at the sanctuary came through the earthquake without injury and have the supplies and care they need. Phil and sanctuary manager Pema have been offering assistance as they can to animals throughout the area.

“We had a request to visit the Bhaktapur area where there was extensive damage from the earthquake,” Phil wrote. “Local vet Dr. Pranav had been virtually sleepless dealing with the many animals in distress. His staff had to all go home to help their families. Half a dozen cows with deep lacerations and injuries were treated and some others died. A festival was imminent meaning many people had goats with them to slaughter. He rescued one from the seventh floor of a severely damaged building at great risk. He has had to stop this kind of rescue as damaged buildings are still coming down due to the rain.

“We gave him what medical supplies we could spare and will work to resupply him and support his valuable work in the area. Once the immediate area has been searched and dealt with, we will join in patrols of nearby villages where there has been no veterinary/animal care support at all.”

At the end of the day, Rinpoche teaches and leads prayers at Kopan. And most still retire to sleep in tents and shelters outside.

Kopan monks delivering aid

For the latest updates and news from Kopan Monastery and other FPMT centers and projects in Nepal affected by the earthquake, visit our “Updates from Nepal after the Earthquake” page: 
https://fpmt.org/nepal-earthquake/

To learn more and offer support to the Nepal Earthquake Support Fund visit: 
https://fpmt.org/support/socialservices/

For “Prayers and Practice for Earthquake in Nepal,” see: 
https://fpmt.org/edu-news/prayers-and-practices-for-earthquake-in-nepal/

You can receive an email daily digest of news from FPMT.org, including our updates from Nepal, by signing up at this address:
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More information, photos and updates about FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche can be found on Rinpoche’s webpage. If you’d like to receive news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche via email, sign up to Lama Zopa Rinpoche News.