On July 30, 2026, an avalanche on Broad Peak killed 10 climbers. Broad Peak is 8,051 metres (about 26,414 feet) high. It is the 12th-highest mountain in the world, in Pakistan’s Karakoram range.
Behind each name is a home. There are wives and husbands, children and parents who were waiting for a phone call. After the avalanche, two fundraising campaigns were launched to support the families of the Nepali guides and workers who died.
A death on the mountain doesn’t end on the mountain. It continues in the kitchen, in school fees and in the years that follow.
Why we are writing this
Sherpa Legend has always given space to mountain safety and the human cost behind climbing. When someone doesn’t return from the mountain, the loss reaches their family and the generations after them. We shared both appeals with our small community through our website and social media.
Some of you donated because you trusted us. When readers give because of our appeal, following up is our responsibility, not a favor. Some of you asked questions, so we asked the organisations. Both have now responded.
| Nimsdai Foundation: £78,000 raised. Distribution is underway through staged grants. Juniper Fund: $77,712 raised so far, toward a $120,000 five-year commitment to six families. Neither process is finished. Nimsdai is still verifying some cases. Juniper’s support is built to run for five years. Both organisations responded to Sherpa Legend’s questions. |
Nimsdai Foundation: what they told us
The Nimsdai Foundation says its Broad Peak Family Fund raised £78,000. It told us that 100 percent of this money, excluding bank-transfer and currency-exchange fees, goes to eligible next of kin of those affected.
Some money has already been released, and other cases are still being verified. The Foundation explained why this takes time. It must first confirm who the rightful next of kin is, and in some cases more than one member of an extended family has applied, which needs extra checking before payment. Recipients must give written and photo proof of their identity and their relationship to the person who died. As a UK-registered charity, the Foundation also has legal due-diligence duties. On top of this, some recipients find it hard to receive international transfers from the UK because of local banking arrangements.
The money is released in four stages. The first is 34 percent, meant for funeral costs, travel and urgent household needs. Three further payments of 22 percent each follow, meant for household expenses, education and longer-term living costs. Families do not have to submit receipts.
While the process is ongoing, the Foundation will not share family names, amounts or transfer dates. It says this is for privacy and security.
In its response, the Foundation said:
“Every family we have spoken to and released funds to have expressed their deep gratitude.”
Juniper Fund: what they told us
The Juniper Fund says its Broad Peak appeal has raised $77,712 so far for its Cost of Living program. The Fund has committed $120,000 in total to six families. That is $20,000 per family over five years, paid as about $2,000 twice a year, or roughly $4,000 a year.
The idea is steady, long-term help instead of a one-time payment. A family’s need does not end after the funeral.
Ang Chokpa Sherpa, the Fund’s Nepal Program Manager, has met all six families. The Fund has also organised group meetings for the women who were recently widowed, so they can meet each other and the Nepal team.
Families can also use the Fund’s wider support: vocational training and scholarships, small-business grants, education support, welfare check-ins and community initiatives. The Fund says these programs have supported 79 families to date.
Christine Hass, the Fund’s Executive Director, told us:
“Your donations are going directly to these families, twice a year, for the next five years.”
Two models, one continuing responsibility
The two organisations work differently. Nimsdai gives in stages, after verification, over a shorter period. Juniper gives small, steady payments over five years. They are not competing. They help in different ways.
Neither process is complete. Nimsdai is still verifying some cases. Juniper’s support is designed to continue for years. The Juniper Fund’s commitment is $120,000, and $77,712 has been raised so far.
What comes next
We thank both organisations for answering our questions. People who donated deserve to know where their money went. We will share further updates when more information is available.
Behind every number is a family still learning to live without someone. Our readers helped carry some of that weight, and we will keep following until it is done.
