Dozens of people from Sacramento’s Nepali community gathered at the State Capitol on Sunday night to honor victims of floods and landslides in Nepal.
Rescues are still underway, with more than 5,000 people missing and more than 1,300 confirmed dead.
The event included a prayer for those who lost their lives in the flooding and landslides near the Chinese-Nepali border.
The event was organized by the Nepali Language School of Sacramento.
“We are saying that Nepal, you are not alone. We support you, we are with you,” Krishna Giri, the Chief Servant of the Nepali Language School, said.
Thirteen-year-old Aava Ssrestha, a student at the Nepali Language School, served as the emcee for the event. She moved to the U.S. when she was 3 1/2 years old.
Her family still in Nepal are safe, but she said she feels the pain of families whose loved ones have not been found.
“We are supporting them because there are families there who have lost their relatives’ lives. We are trying to help them and just support them in any way,” Ssrestha said.
People from many different backgrounds came to the Capitol, where the event included speeches, prayers and a candlelight vigil.
Jagan Mohan, president of the Indian Association of Sacramento, attended to show his support.
“India and Nepal share much more than the borders. The culture, the friendship and the traditions. So, we are with the Nepal friends and brothers,” Mohan said.
The local Nepali community has also held multiple fundraisers to support victims’ families.
Mishan Giri said he organized a soccer match last week that raised $2,500.
“Nepal is not alone. Just because we are now Americans does not mean that we don’t forget where we are from,” Giri, who is from Nepal, said.
The Nepali Language School of Sacramento has set up a GoFundMe page to help the families of victims.
More from ABC10: Sacramento Nepali community organizes support after devastating Nepal floods