Aarschot (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A Nepalese team working at the Shokudo restaurant group in Aarschot, Belgium, has organised a benefit dinner to raise funds for victims of the devastating flash floods that struck northern Nepal on 26 August 2026. The organisers have announced that full proceeds from the event will go directly to those affected by one of the deadliest flood disasters in Nepal’s recent history.
What triggered the benefit dinner in Aarschot?
This project is due to the devastating flash floods that hit the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli Rivers in the Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading districts, leaving hundreds dead and over a thousand missing on the Nepal-China border. It has been reported by the Nepalese police force and the international media that at least 359-547 persons have been killed in Nepal and 910+ to 1,300+ are still missing in Nepal, with many of them being foreign tourists.
In China, the authorities of Tibet’s Gyirong County confirm at least three to five deaths and 558+ persons missing, with more than 260 being foreign citizens. Such a massive death toll and large number of missing tourists from across the globe have brought about widespread solidarity of Nepali diasporic communities, among which the Shokudo group in Aarschot also participates.
Who is organising the dinner and why?
The benefit dinner will be organized by the Nepalese employees of Shokudo Group in Aarschot, an experienced firm that operates various Japanese and Asian restaurants, including sushi and Somwang (Thai–Asian fusion). Although the restaurant company has always been a “gevestigde waarde” (established name) in Aarschot, this occasion represents the first public humanitarian initiative on the part of the Nepalese employees to help their country.
In statements shared through local channels, the organisers emphasised their personal connection to the disaster zone.
“Our families and friends are from the areas hit by this flood; we cannot just watch from here,”
said one member of the Nepalese team at Shokudo, who asked not to be named pending final confirmation of the event details.
“Every euro raised in Aarschot will go to the people who have lost their homes and loved ones.”
The team stressed that the dinner is not only about money but also about visibility.
“We want Belgians and Nepalis living here to know what is happening in Nepal and to stand with the victims,”
another organiser said.
“This is our way of saying: the pain of our neighbours is our own.”
When and where will the benefit dinner take place?
The dinner will take place on the premises of the Shokudo Restaurant in Aarschot. Seating will be done especially for the event, although the specific date and time are still not known and are being promoted through the social media pages of the restaurant. However, it has been revealed that booking is necessary owing to the small space available. Attendees will be served special meals, which will include Nepalese as well as Nepali-inspired food, prepared by the Nepalese staff as well as the regular workers of the restaurant.
“We are cooking the food of our homeland, but in a way that everyone in Aarschot can enjoy,”
said the head chef involved in the initiative.
The fixed amount of money per head for the event has been decided, and all tickets sold will go toward the “full proceeds” for the cause of flood relief. The event organizers are also considering donating some portion of the bar sales to the cause, subject to the restaurant management’s approval.
Where will the funds go and how will they be used?
The organisers have stated that 100% of the proceeds from the benefit dinner will be transferred to a verified relief channel supporting flood victims in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading. They are in contact with both official government mechanisms, such as the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund, and trusted local networks that can ensure the money reaches affected families quickly.
“We are in touch with people on the ground who know which villages are cut off and which families have lost everything,” one coordinator explained. “Our goal is not just to send money, but to make sure it reaches those who need it most.”
A short report will be released following the event, which will include the total funds raised, along with proof of the funds being transferred. It is said that such transparency is critical for earning the trust of the diners and the donors.
What past disasters have inspired similar initiatives?
Benefit dinners and fundraisers for Nepal have existed before. After the Gorkha earthquake in 2015 that claimed around 9,000 lives, many charitable events such as concerts, sporting activities and food evenings were carried out by Nepalese community organisations in Europe to aid in the rebuilding process and provide relief. Smaller scale but similar events were held after the Melamchi floods and other disasters caused due to monsoons in 2021 and other subsequent years.
“After the earthquake, many people here helped Nepal; now it is our turn to give back from this side,”
one organiser said.
“We hope this becomes a model for other Nepali teams in Belgium.”
By combining local culinary skills with a clear humanitarian message, the event aims to turn a single evening in a small Flemish town into a tangible lifeline for families hundreds of kilometres away in the Himalayan flood zone.
