One of Asia’s poorest nations, Nepal has suffered more than its share of hardships and tragedies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The devastating spreading tidal wave of the virus in India this May also ravaged every part of the Himalayas.
The news coverage focused primarily on India’s larger population but Nepal was hit just as hard by this second wave of infections. The extreme human suffering compelled Hong Kong residents, retired Gurkhas, Corporal Raj Kumar Rai, Tirlok Gurung and prominent businessman Sean Hotung, to act decisively and quickly to save lives. Within 24 hours in May, they secured cooperation from the Nepalese government and began an online campaign on the fundraising site Fringe Backer.
But with time being a crucial factor, Hotung, along with ex-Gurkha Tirlok Gurung, promptly purchased 450 large oxygen cylinders (40 liters each). Instead of just handing over the supplies, they personally managed a truck journey over 3,000 km from Shandong to Kathmandu to deliver the life-saving oxygen tanks and ensure the vital goods reached the victims who need it.
“It is a Hotung tradition to help those who are in need. I know we have helped and saved lives in Nepal,” says Sean, the direct fifth-generation descendant of Sir Robert Ho Tung, KBE JP.
The Standard Channel
More>> Back in Hong Kong, Mary Jean Hotung (Sean’s wife, formerly actress Yung Jing-jing) continued the drive for provision and donations, in association with the Hong Kong Ex-Servicemen’s Association (HKESA) which Mr. Hotung is Patron. In all, over HK$5.3 million in contributions has been raised. With Hotung funding, an air cargo shipment including 50 10LPM Oxygen concentrators and 8,000 Antigen Testers Kits was directly sent to the Minister of Health and Population in Kathmandu on 9th July.
“Our connection with the Nepalese and the Gurkhas, dates back to the 1950s. We have a very long working relationship with them and I urge the Hong Kong people to continue to support us,” pleads Mr Albert Lam, MBE, and chairman of the HKESA.
Unfortunately, the crisis in Nepal continues as vaccines are slow to arrive. Virus transmission in the country has now topped 650,000, with over 9,000 deaths. As of the first week of July, COVID patient numbers are rising again in government hospitals in the Kathmandu Valley and its fragile health care system is on the verge of crumbling.
The country desperately needs more emergency medical supplies and help. Sean and Mary Jean Hotung, Tirlok Gurung and the HKESA are now calling on all Hongkongers to show their great compassion again by donating to this humanitarian cause.
“Now at the final stage, we will use the untouched donations from our crowd funding to buy more medicine to send to Nepal,” Mary Jean Hotung explains, “In the midst of covid-19, Hongkongers have generously donated what they could. In addition to material, more than HK$780,000 has been raised so far through the HKESA. On behalf of the Hotung family, I thank all Hong Kong citizens.”
Sean Hotung adds, “Thank you to the people of Hong Kong who gave with their heart to help Nepal. I would add a special thanks to my wife and the HKESA who did so much work getting more than 5,000 kilograms of medical supplies on a plane.”
The online drive will continue on Fringe Backer until July 24, but for expediency the group is requesting people give directly to the HKESA to help cover the cost of another batch of supplies leaving soon. An account number has been set up under the Hong Kong Ex-Servicemen’s Association. You can offer aid by donating medical supplies on or before 31st July.
For further info, please contact: Mrs. Shally Ling (2544 6270 / 9338 6938) or via email: hq@hkesa.com.hk
The news coverage focused primarily on India’s larger population but Nepal was hit just as hard by this second wave of infections. The extreme human suffering compelled Hong Kong residents, retired Gurkhas, Corporal Raj Kumar Rai, Tirlok Gurung and prominent businessman Sean Hotung, to act decisively and quickly to save lives. Within 24 hours in May, they secured cooperation from the Nepalese government and began an online campaign on the fundraising site Fringe Backer.
But with time being a crucial factor, Hotung, along with ex-Gurkha Tirlok Gurung, promptly purchased 450 large oxygen cylinders (40 liters each). Instead of just handing over the supplies, they personally managed a truck journey over 3,000 km from Shandong to Kathmandu to deliver the life-saving oxygen tanks and ensure the vital goods reached the victims who need it.
“It is a Hotung tradition to help those who are in need. I know we have helped and saved lives in Nepal,” says Sean, the direct fifth-generation descendant of Sir Robert Ho Tung, KBE JP.
The Standard Channel
More>> Back in Hong Kong, Mary Jean Hotung (Sean’s wife, formerly actress Yung Jing-jing) continued the drive for provision and donations, in association with the Hong Kong Ex-Servicemen’s Association (HKESA) which Mr. Hotung is Patron. In all, over HK$5.3 million in contributions has been raised. With Hotung funding, an air cargo shipment including 50 10LPM Oxygen concentrators and 8,000 Antigen Testers Kits was directly sent to the Minister of Health and Population in Kathmandu on 9th July.
“Our connection with the Nepalese and the Gurkhas, dates back to the 1950s. We have a very long working relationship with them and I urge the Hong Kong people to continue to support us,” pleads Mr Albert Lam, MBE, and chairman of the HKESA.
Unfortunately, the crisis in Nepal continues as vaccines are slow to arrive. Virus transmission in the country has now topped 650,000, with over 9,000 deaths. As of the first week of July, COVID patient numbers are rising again in government hospitals in the Kathmandu Valley and its fragile health care system is on the verge of crumbling.
The country desperately needs more emergency medical supplies and help. Sean and Mary Jean Hotung, Tirlok Gurung and the HKESA are now calling on all Hongkongers to show their great compassion again by donating to this humanitarian cause.
“Now at the final stage, we will use the untouched donations from our crowd funding to buy more medicine to send to Nepal,” Mary Jean Hotung explains, “In the midst of covid-19, Hongkongers have generously donated what they could. In addition to material, more than HK$780,000 has been raised so far through the HKESA. On behalf of the Hotung family, I thank all Hong Kong citizens.”
Sean Hotung adds, “Thank you to the people of Hong Kong who gave with their heart to help Nepal. I would add a special thanks to my wife and the HKESA who did so much work getting more than 5,000 kilograms of medical supplies on a plane.”
The online drive will continue on Fringe Backer until July 24, but for expediency the group is requesting people give directly to the HKESA to help cover the cost of another batch of supplies leaving soon. An account number has been set up under the Hong Kong Ex-Servicemen’s Association. You can offer aid by donating medical supplies on or before 31st July.
For further info, please contact: Mrs. Shally Ling (2544 6270 / 9338 6938) or via email: hq@hkesa.com.hk
