Two major Hong Kong business groups have pledged a combined 30 million yuan (about US$4.4 million) for relief efforts after catastrophic floods and landslides devastated communities along the Nepal-Tibet border.
Li Ka-shing’s family-backed businesses and foundation, together with Henderson Land Development and the Lee Shau Kee Foundation, each pledged 15 million yuan (about US$2.2 million) for disaster relief, according to the South China Morning Post.
The donations come as rescue teams continue searching through mud, debris and damaged infrastructure following the August 26 disaster, which has become one of the deadliest recent disasters in the Himalayan region.
Two major Hong Kong donations
On the Li Ka-shing side, CK Asset Holdings, CK Hutchison Holdings and the Li Ka Shing Foundation pledged 15 million yuan.
Separately, Henderson Land Development and the Lee Shau Kee Foundation announced another 15 million yuan.
Both donations are being channelled through the disaster relief account of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Hong Kong, with the funds intended to support affected communities and ongoing rescue and recovery operations.
The organisations expressed condolences to victims and their families and paid tribute to rescue workers operating in extremely difficult conditions.
Disaster leaves thousands dead or missing
The donations arrive as the scale of the Himalayan disaster continues to grow.
According to figures cited by the SCMP, 1,010 people had been reported dead and 4,599 missing across Nepal and Tibet as of Tuesday morning. Chinese authorities separately reported 16 deaths and 546 missing in Tibet.
The Associated Press reported a similar picture, saying Nepal had recorded 987 deaths and 3,916 missing people, while Chinese authorities had reported 16 deaths and 546 missing in Tibet.
The differences in figures reflect separate reporting systems and updates as rescue teams reach previously inaccessible areas.
What caused the catastrophe?
The disaster began when a massive glacial collapse and rock-and-ice avalanche sent huge quantities of water, rock and debris into rivers along the Himalayan border.
The resulting flash floods tore through communities, roads, bridges and power infrastructure in both Nepal and China’s Tibet region.
At the Gyirong border crossing, one of the key links between Nepal and Tibet, the flooding destroyed major infrastructure and severely complicated access for rescue teams.
Reuters reported that rescue workers were still struggling to restore the final stretch of the road leading to the border crossing, with powerful river currents repeatedly damaging reconstruction efforts.
Rescue operations remain extremely difficult
More than a week after the disaster, rescuers are still working in dangerous conditions.
In Tibet, Chinese teams have been using heavy machinery, drones and other equipment to reach areas cut off by the landslides and floods. On Tuesday, rescue teams had advanced to within about 800 metres of the worst-hit area after working through damaged terrain and fast-moving water.
In Nepal, rescue teams are also searching damaged hydropower facilities where hundreds of workers may remain trapped.
The AP reported that Chinese authorities were sending additional emergency supplies to Nepal, including drones, DNA-testing equipment and water-purification equipment, while Chinese experts were assisting with rescue and identification efforts.
Hong Kong’s wider response
The private donations add to a broader relief effort involving Hong Kong authorities and community organisations.
The Hong Kong government has already earmarked HK$50 million (US$6.3 million) from its Disaster Relief Fund for emergency projects supporting victims of the disaster.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club has also pledged HK$20 million, while the Macau government announced 30 million yuan in assistance, according to SCMP.
The Hong Kong Red Cross has separately launched an emergency appeal and allocated initial funds for humanitarian relief in Nepal, citing urgent needs including search and rescue, clean water, temporary shelter, medical supplies and sanitation.
A disaster with regional consequences
The catastrophe is not only a humanitarian emergency.
The floods have severely damaged Nepal’s hydropower infrastructure, a crucial part of the country’s economy. Reuters reported that roughly 431 megawatts, or about 10% of Nepal’s electricity-generation capacity, had been affected, forcing the country to suspend power exports and prepare to import electricity from India.
The destruction has also raised fresh concerns about the vulnerability of infrastructure built in steep Himalayan valleys as glaciers retreat and extreme weather events become more frequent.
For now, however, the priority remains finding survivors and reaching communities cut off by the disaster.
With thousands still missing and rescue teams battling unstable mountains, flooded rivers and destroyed roads, the humanitarian response is likely to continue for weeks.
WWC ONE MEDIA J.M.D
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