KATHMANDU: A fundraising event organised by the Himalayan Sherpa Club of Sonoma and the California Sherpa Association has raised more than $100,000 for communities affected by the recent floods in Nepal.

The “Sonoma for Nepal: A Flood Relief Charity Dinner” was held at Sonoma Veterans Memorial Hall with support from the City of Sonoma. The organisers said $100,275 had been raised so far, with donations to remain open until the end of September.

The funds will be transferred to Nepal’s Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund through the California Sherpa Association after the campaign concludes and the final amount is determined, said association president Gombu Sherpa.

Hundreds of community members and dignitaries attended the event, with restaurants, wineries and volunteer organisations also joining the humanitarian initiative. Members of the Sherpa community offered Buddhist prayers for those who lost their lives in the floods.

A video showing the devastation caused by the August 26 floods along the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli corridors was also screened during the programme. People from different parts of the San Francisco Bay Area attended the event in solidarity with Nepal.

Sonoma Mayor Ron Wellander said the city continued to support its Nepali community, while US Representative Mike Thompson of California’s 4th Congressional District praised the Sherpa community’s efforts to support flood-affected communities in Nepal.

Pemba Sherpa, president of the Himalayan Sherpa Club of Sonoma, said the event reflected the continuing connection between the Nepali diaspora and their homeland. “Our bond with Nepal is getting stronger though we live miles away from the homeland,” he said.