Standing with Nepal: From Tragedy to Hope

Good evening, distinguished guests, friends and organisers!

On behalf of Gurkha Royal, I would like to welcome you all to this charity event. I would like to begin my remarks with two simple words — thank you.

Thank you to Keshab and Chef Lama for taking this philanthropic initiative at a time when Nepal and its people greatly need support and solidarity. Thank you to everyone who has worked tirelessly to make this evening possible – those welcoming us at the front and, particularly, those working quietly behind the scenes. Very often, we remember the people behind an event only when something goes wrong. Tonight, I want to recognise them when things have gone right. Their time, effort and commitment are what make an evening like this possible. And, most importantly, thank you to all of you – our valued guests at Gurkha Royal. This event is possible because you chose to be here. Your presence itself is an expression of solidarity with the people of Nepal.

The loss Nepal has experienced from the devastating floods is difficult to comprehend. We may have watched disasters of this magnitude in films or seen them on television happening in distant parts of the world. But seeing such destruction affecting places, communities and people we know makes it painfully real.

There is, understandably, considerable discussion about climate change, extreme weather and the environmental factors behind such disasters. Those conversations are important.

However, I would like to focus on something slightly different this evening. Whenever floods take lives and destroy settlements, people often ask a seemingly simple question: Why do people live so close to rivers?

The answer is not so simple. Of course, living farther away from rivers may reduce the risk of losing human and animal lives during severe flooding. But to understand why people settle close to rivers, we need to look at the history of human settlements and understand what has influenced people’s decisions about where to live.

Throughout human history, settlements have generally depended on three essential resources: farmlands for food, rivers for water, and forests for building materials and fuel. In some places, communities had limited access to water; in others, they had less farmland or fewer forest resources. But where these essential resources were available together, settlements had greater opportunities to grow and prosper. Indeed, many of the world’s great civilisations developed around rivers and other bodies of water. Rivers provided drinking water, fertile land, transport and opportunities for trade. But the relationship between people and rivers has always been complex and sometimes unpredictable.

Sometimes people encroach on rivers, and sometimes rivers reclaim their space. And when the latter happens, the consequences can be devastating.

With the recent floods, Nepal has lost so much — people, animals, homes, farms, factories, shops, road networks and other valuable assets. As of 21 September 2026, NDRRMA reports 1453 deaths, 5644 are missing, and more than 60000 are displaced. Some victims have reportedly been found far from where they disappeared, showing us the extraordinary force and scale of such disasters.

Yet, in the midst of all this loss and destruction, hope is still there.

Hope that settlements can be restored. Hope that families can rebuild their lives. Hope that communities can recover. And hope that Nepal can rebuild stronger. That hope is also created through seemingly small initiatives such as this charity dinner tonight. When we look at the bigger picture, your presence here is much more than simply attending a dinner. By being here and showing your support, you are becoming part of the rebuilding effort. Through this evening’s support, we hope to provide food and shelter for approximately 30 people for 30 days. Thirty people may sound like a small number compared with the scale of the disaster. But for those thirty people, it can mean food when they are hungry, shelter when they have lost their homes, and reassurance that they have not been forgotten.

That is the real strength of an evening like this. Rebuilding a community does not happen all at once. It happens family by family, community by community and brick by brick.

Tonight, through your generosity, you are helping to place one of those bricks.

The floods may have destroyed homes, farms and livelihoods, but they should never be allowed to destroy hope. And hope becomes stronger when people stand together. Thank you once again for your generosity, your support and for making this charity dinner possible.

On behalf of Gurkha Royal, thank you for standing with the people of Nepal.

I wish you all a wonderful evening. Thank you.

Milan Gyanwali