Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio

The Bhutanese Community of Central (BCCO a 501 c (3) nonprofit org) is organizing GoFundMe on behalf of the Bhutanese Families living at the Village Court Apartments at 4638 Tamarack Blvd. On November 6, 2021, around 1:45 am, a fire broke out at Village Court Apartments at 4638 Tamarack Blvd in Columbus Ohio. This unfortunate incident happened in the middle of Diwali. Sadly they have all of their personal belongings, savings, jewelry, and all their memorable items. It was such a traumatizing incident that we can only imagine.

 

https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus-apartment-fire-sends-one-person-to-hospital/

 

https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/4-injured-tamarack-blvd-columbus-apartment-fire-jumped-out-of-windows-11-6-2021

 

The Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio has been in touch with the leasing office at the Village Court Apartments. As of today, the leasing office says the apartment complex is not in a good condition for individuals to live in anymore and the tenants need to find another apartment. The fire authorities are still investigating to see how and where the fire started, and it will take a few weeks for authorities to allow individuals to go in to see if there is anything left.

 

At this time we are working to provide them with warm clothes, shoes, groceries, and diapers for the babies, and other basic necessities. They need to start their life all over from scratch. Among the survivors are a single mother, an elderly couple, and a disabled family. They will not be able to get back to life on their own unless we step in. We are requesting you to help support and recover these families as best you can.

 

Thank you all for whatever you can offer - help, prayers, sharing.

Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio

The Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio (BCCO) is a nonprofit community organization based in Central Ohio, United States, serving refugees, immigrants, and New American families. BCCO is organizing this fundraiser in collaboration with Bhutanese American community leaders and organizations across the United States to support communities affected by the devastating flooding in Nepal.

Why Nepal Is Personal to Us

For thousands of Bhutanese Americans, Nepal is much more than a neighboring country. Nepal is an important part of our own story.

After our families were displaced from Bhutan, thousands of Bhutanese refugees lived in refugee camps in Nepal for many years before eventually being resettled in the United States and other countries.

Many of us grew up in Nepal. Our children were born there. We went to school there, formed lifelong relationships there, and spent some of the most formative years of our lives there.

Today, Bhutanese Americans have built new lives across the United States, but we have not forgotten Nepal or the people who were part of our journey.

Now, as communities in Nepal face devastating flooding, we have an opportunity to give back.

How the Funds Will Be Used?

All funds raised through this campaign will be administered by BCCO and used to support flood relief and recovery efforts in affected communities in Nepal.

Depending on the needs identified on the ground, funds may be used for humanitarian assistance such as:

Emergency food, drinking water, and essential household supplies;

Temporary shelter and basic necessities for displaced families;

Cleanup and recovery assistance for flood-affected communities; and

Other urgent humanitarian needs directly related to the flooding.

As agreed by the fundraising committee, BCCO will donate the funds received through this campaign to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund of Nepal. BCCO will maintain complete records of all funds received and transferred and is committed to ensuring transparency and accountability throughout this effort.

A Community Coming Together

This is not simply a BCCO campaign. Bhutanese American leaders and community members across the United States have come together around this effort and asked BCCO to serve as the coordinating organization so that donations can be collected and distributed through one accountable nonprofit organization.

For our community, this campaign is an expression of gratitude, solidarity, and remembrance.

Nepal provided refuge to our community during one of the most difficult chapters of our history. Today, when families in Nepal are facing their own moment of extraordinary hardship, we want to stand beside them.

Once, we needed a place to rebuild our lives. Today, we have an opportunity to help others rebuild theirs.

Please donate if you can, share this campaign, and stand with the people of Nepal.

Bhutanese Americans United for Nepal Flood Relief

Together in gratitude. Together for Nepal.