We have been working alongside Tibetan communities for over 60 years

Since 1959, we’ve worked with Tibetans living in exile in India and Nepal and Tibetans inside Tibet to support communities, preserve culture and build sustainable futures.

Where it began

In 1959, thousands of Tibetans fled their homeland, crossing the Himalayas into exile following a period of profound political upheaval.

They arrived in unfamiliar places, often with nothing — separated from families, without resources, and facing an uncertain future.

Tibet Relief Fund was established in response, providing emergency support at a time when little international assistance was available.

What began as urgent relief has become a long-term commitment — standing alongside Tibetan communities as they rebuild their lives in exile.

Why our work continues

Today, many Tibetans in exile still live without full legal recognition or access to state support.

This affects everyday life — from education and healthcare to employment and long-term security.

Communities continue to navigate displacement while also working to preserve their language, culture and identity across generations.

In this context, community-led support is not supplementary. It is essential.

How we work

We work in partnership with Tibetan communities, supporting projects that are locally led and shaped by real needs.

Rather than delivering top-down programmes, we fund and support initiatives developed by Tibetan organisations and community groups themselves.

This approach ensures that our work is:

grounded in lived experience
culturally informed
responsive to changing needs

It also allows us to reach communities and support projects that are often overlooked or underfunded.

What we support

For over 60 years, we have worked alongside Tibetan communities in exile in India and Nepal to support the areas of life that matter most.

Education and learning

Healthcare and wellbeing

Elderly and vulnerable care

Livelihoods and self-reliance

Culture and identity

Living conditions

A long-standing relationship built on trust

As one of the oldest charities in the UK — and among the longest-standing organisations globally — working with Tibetan communities in exile, we have built relationships that span generations.

These relationships are grounded in trust, mutual respect, and a deep understanding of the realities of life in exile.

Our size allows us to remain close to the work — listening, learning and adapting as needs evolve.

We do not work at a distance. We work in partnership.

A shared responsibility

Our work is made possible by a community of supporters who understand the importance of dignity, cultural continuity and long-term care.

Together, this is a shared responsibility — supporting Tibetan communities to live with stability today, while ensuring that language, culture and identity are carried forward for generations to come.