Aster DM Foundation, the charitable arm of Aster DM healthcare, today extended a helping hand to Nepal by providing AED1.4 million (NPR40 million) funds to Nepal Prime Minister relief fund to rebuild 500 houses in earthquake-stricken villages, including 23 homes of Aster employees that were destroyed by the tragedy.

Dr Azad Moopen, Chairman and Managing Director of Aster DM Healthcare personally delivered the contribution to His Excellency Dhananjay Jha, Nepal Ambassador to the UAE, in the presence of other dignitaries during a handover ceremony.

Nepal and its people are very close to our hearts and aid for the Himalayan nation is crucial at present. From our own ranks, we have 23 employees affected by the devastating quake. Since this earthquake hit so close to home, Aster DM Foundation has promised them assistance in rebuilding their homes to do what we can do at this time. We would like to also thank a number of our employees at Aster DM Healthcare who came together and contributed to the fund, said Dr. Azad Moopen.

Last April, Nepal was struck by a powerful earthquake and subsequent aftershocks wiping out hundreds of thousands of houses, rendering many Nepalis homeless, hungry and susceptible to disease. By rebuilding those 500 homes, Aster DM will provide people with a solid foundation from which they can recover and move on from the earthquake.

Receiving the contribution, HE Dhananjay Jha, Nepal Ambassador to the UAE, said, We are extremely grateful to Dr. Azad Moopen and his Foundation for coming forward to help the grieving Nepali families affected by the deadliest earthquake in eight decades. This donation will go towards the efforts to help the victims of the devastating earthquakes.

Dhukul Raj, an employee of Aster DM Healthcare Group in Dubai and whose house was damaged by the earthquake expressed his gratitude for the assistance: It means a lot that the people I work with have come together to help all of us who were affected by the calamity. We can not thank them enough for their generosity. It means a lot to my family that help has come for us to rebuild not just our house but our lives.