Poet Homraj Acharya contributes Rs 150,000 to PM Disaster Relief Fund

WASHINGTON DC: Nepali poet, author, and international development professional Homraj Acharya has contributed Rs 150,000 to Nepal’s Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund from proceeds generated through the sale of his English-language poetry collection, Farmers of Blue Smoke.

The contribution, deposited in three installments, is intended to support communities affected by the ice-rock collapse and subsequent flooding in Rasuwa District, Bagmati Province, Nepal, including settlements along the Bhote Koshi river corridor.

The fundraising initiative was supported by two poetry and public engagement events held at American University and Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington, D.C., on October 6 and October 12, 2026, respectively, as well as contributions from generous donors who purchased copies of Farmers of Blue Smoke and supported the initiative.

Together, these efforts helped raise funds for communities affected by the disaster in Nepal. On October 6, the Graduate Leadership Council and Graduate Student Council at American University hosted a poetry book launch and conversation featuring Acharya and his collection, Farmers of Blue Smoke.

The event explored Nepal’s Himalayan ice-rock collapse catastrophe and the role of poetry in bringing attention to the experiences of vulnerable communities. Proceeds from book sales supported relief efforts for communities affected by the disaster.