Support for Dejan's Family (Nepal Flood)

“There’s strength in being gentle, and healing in always trying to love and include even when your own heart still aches.” - Dejan Kuzmic

Dejan, 44, is an Aucklander and is one of five New Zealanders missing after the devastating flash flood that hit Nepal-China border on the 26th August.

He was returning from a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar and was confirmed inside the immigration complex three minutes before the flood destroyed the building. Two weeks later, he has not been found or identified. The scale of the disaster means our family is having to prepare for the very real possibility that he did not survive.

One comfort is knowing Dejan had completed the pilgrimage he'd dreamed of for years.

Dejan came to New Zealand from Bosnia and Herzegovina as a 10 year old refugee. He was kind, generous and deeply caring, with a strong belief in empathy, inclusion and gentleness.

His sister Zeljka is Dejan’s only surviving immediate family member. Having already lost the rest of their family, she is now facing something she could never have imagined or prepare for.

We know people are already stretched by the cost of living, so we do not ask for help lightly. This page has been created to help Zeljka with funeral costs, possible repatriation of Dejan to New Zealand, and travel to Nepal so she can be near where he was last seen, and have the chance to say goodbye.

Anything you can give will genuinely help. If you cannot donate, sharing this page will mean just as much ❤️