KATHMANDU: A literary event organised in New York to support families affected by Nepal’s floods has raised $1,502, equivalent to around Rs 230,000, through book sales and donations.

The event, titled Books for Flood Victims — Stories That Give Hope, was organised by authors Pasang Nuru Sherpa and Pratikshya Thakali in association with Khasokhas, NEPYORK and the Association of Nepali in America (ANESAS) New York chapter.

More than 70 people, including authors, journalists, community representatives, social workers and literature enthusiasts, attended the event. Books by participating authors were sold in the presence of the writers, with the proceeds to be deposited in the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund for flood victims.

Award-winning author Passang Nuru Sherpa, whose works include Behind the Mask: A Pandemic Memoir, said the event sought to connect literature with humanitarian support.

Unlike conventional literary programmes, the event focused on direct interaction between authors and readers, book presentations and humanitarian support rather than lengthy formal speeches, according to the organisers.

The organisers said the initiative aimed to express solidarity and support from the Nepali diaspora for families affected by the floods while using literature and creative work as a means of humanitarian assistance.

The books featured at the event included The Joyous Fort, Our Homeland in Thini, Behind the Mask: A Pandemic Memoir, Kampan, Zero Mile, Untranslatable, Voices of the Himalayas, Beyond the Mountains, Our Land, Our Stories, Himalayan Echoes, Roots That Remember and Himalayan Maverick.

The organisers said they would publicly disclose details after depositing the collected amount in the relief fund.