Association of Nepalis in Americas (ANA) Press Relese

Association of Nepalis in Americas (ANA) organization has coordinated numerous Emergency Help Fund Relief programs since its inception 27 years ago. In recent years when tragedy has befallen to a Non Resident Nepali living in the US, ANA has taken the leadership to coordinate fundraising effort, with support of local organizations, to provide appropriate support to the needy family. This effort expanded to the international levels when North American Nepali Diaspora raised funds in support of Nepalis murdered in Iraq in 2004.

Recently, Non Resident Nepalis were deeply saddened by the catastrophic misfortune the people of Haiti had to endure due to the earthquake. Yet we were heartened to see Nepali flags waving and the work done by Nepal Army in helping people of Haiti on TV. ANA’s Emergency Help Fund Program raised funds to help the victims of the earthquake. The effort was led by Baltimore Association of Nepalese in America (BANA) and was supported by local organizations across North America. This was a direct contribution from people of Nepali origin and nonresident Nepalis to the people of Haiti.

President of BANA, Mrs. Rabina Thapa presented the collected funds totaling $2693 to the Haitian Ambassador H.E. Raymond A. Joseph at a ceremony in Haitian Embassy, Washington DC on February 16, 2010. The ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of Nepal H.E. Dr. Shankar Prasad Sharma and officials from ANA and BANA that included ANA Auditor General Hari K. Sharma, BANA Vice President Ram Prakash Bhandari, community stalwart Ganesh Malegu and Viswaparikrama Fortnightly Editor Govinda Giri Prerana. During the ceremony, H.E. Dr. Sharma conveyed condolences to the earthquake victims on behalf of the Government of Nepal, and gave them the best wishes for speedy recovery.

In this initiative of the ANA Emergency Help Fund program, led by BANA, and coordinated with the Embassy of Nepal, a new facet has emerged on the model of cooperation between governmental and nonresident Nepali nonprofit community organizations in U.S. This new model for the greater good of the community and Nepal- by shining a positive image to the international community of nations has brought forth new paradigm in combining and uniting for common cause.

ANA and BANA are thankful to all the individuals and the community organizations that include Nepal Oregon Association, Kaskeli Samaj Baltimore and Greater Boston Nepalis Community, for providing much needed support to the people of Haiti at the time of crisis. It was a small step that made difference to those who get help.

Overview of BANA
Baltimore Association of Nepalese in America (BANA) was formed on January 1, 2004 in Baltimore, Maryland. In a short period, BANA has established itself as a major Nepali organization in Maryland. One of its main goals is to bring Nepalese living in Maryland together and maintain our cultural values. For more details visit at: http://www.banaonline.org

Overview of ANA Programs
ANA has established autonomous functional programs led by the experts in the fields to provide services, coordinate, and advance causes. Functional programs include Academy of Nepali Literature, Emergency Help Fund, Media Club, Nepali Scholarship, ANA Youth, Culture Preservation and Promotion, Public Affairs and Advocacy, Non Resident Nepalis (NRNs) Issues, Special Projects and Nepal Promotion.

ANA is an organization of the people of Nepali origin in the Americas and friends of Nepal. ANA was founded on July 1983 in New York and incorporated in Washington DC in 1983 as a non-profit tax exempt organization.