Kathmandu, Sept 8:
Nepal’s disaster relief efforts are increasingly turning to digital payments, with QR codes and mobile banking transforming the way people donate to flood victims and relief funds.
Until recently, donating to government relief funds often meant carrying cash, visiting a bank and standing in long queues. The widespread adoption of digital payment systems has changed that process, allowing donors to contribute almost instantly using smartphones.
The shift has been particularly significant during Nepal’s devastating floods, when speed has become critical for getting financial assistance to affected communities. QR-based payments and mobile banking have enabled donations to reach relief mechanisms without the delays associated with traditional banking.
The transformation reflects Nepal’s growing digital financial infrastructure, which has expanded significantly since the 2015 earthquake. Digital platforms have increasingly become part of disaster response, allowing individuals, organisations and communities to mobilise funds rapidly.
The change also demonstrates how technology can strengthen humanitarian response. While digital payments cannot replace on-ground rescue and relief operations, they can make fundraising faster, more transparent and accessible, particularly when traditional banking services are disrupted by a disaster.