As the coronavirus pandemic has swept the globe nowhere has been immune to pain and suffering.

Nepal was hit by a first wave during 2020, including a four-month nationwide lockdown. A more deadly second wave arrived in April 2021, driven by the delta variant of Covid-19, which quickly overwhelmed the country’s fragile healthcare system and caused widespread devastation.

Thanks to your donations, our partners are responding to help people and communities in the greatest need.

In total, so far over 13,000 people have received support across 9 districts.

8,000 people fed

1,400 children taught

200 new mothers nourished

24 isolation centres equipped

And much more…

Second wave of Covid response in Nepal (2021)

Our partners’ initial response is helping over 4,000 people:

• 3,000 hungry people receiving food relief
• 10 isolation centres equipped with medical supplies
• 200 hospital patients helped with Covid treatment, rehab, or telehealth
• 800 children taught while schools remain closed

Feeding hungry families:

With daily wage workers unable to earn during lockdown many families are going hungry. 360 households (about 1,800 people) in Kaski and Nawalparasi will receive food packages from Asal Chhimekee Nepal (ACN), and Group of Helping Hands (SAHAS) Nepal is helping 240 of the poorest households in Bajura (about 1,300 people) with vouchers for food packages including rice, lentils, oil and salt.

Equipping isolation centres:

ACN will also supply medical equipment, PPE, and medicines to 7 isolation centres in Nawalparasi and Gorkha for the treatment of Covid patients.

SAHAS Nepal will also supply vital equipment for three isolations centres and health posts in Bajura, including oxygen for about 25 patients, and their support will also include other medical equipment, masks, and staff training.

Helping patients:

Covid-infected patients seeking treatment in Banke district have been supported by Sarwangin Sewa Samaj (SSS). This includes 42 patients at at Bheri Zonal hospital – which due to its location on the border with India has been on the frontline of fighting Covid-19 in Nepal – with food, medicine, and laboratory costs such as x-rays and blood tests. A further 50 patients living in the area were helped with PCR tests, food supplies, medicines, and transport to hospital.

INF Nepal is also helping over 100 patients by providing physio, counselling and rehabilitation services to assist in the recovery of Covid-19 patients, as well as telehealth services for people unable to access outpatient support due to lockdowns.

Supporting remote communities:

SAHAS Nepal will also help 800 students (especially girls and lower caste Dalits) with printed materials for home-based learning, to keep them engaged while schools are closed due to lockdowns – and reduce the risk of them not returning to complete their education. SAHAS will also create awareness-raising radio broadcasts about Covid-19 and key social issues such as child protection, gender-based violence, and mental health.

First wave of Covid response in Nepal (2020)

Between June and October 2020 our partners helped about 9,000 Nepalis across 8 of the districts most affected by the pandemic, including along the Indian border and in rural western communities:

• 5,000 people received food packages
• 2,000 food and drink for returning migrants
• 14 quarantine centres equipped, including mosquito nets
• 200 nutrition packs for new and pregnant mothers
• 500 personal hygiene packs for adolescent girls
• 11 hand-washing stations for schools and health-posts
• 600 children received teaching during school closures

Food relief:

Food packages were delivered to 605 households (at least 3,000 people) in Nawalparasi, near the Indian border thanks to Asal Chhimekee Nepal (ACN), which is the social action arm of the Pokhara Christian Community. INF Nepal delivered food relief to more than 400 households (about 2,000 people) in Kalikot, Jumla and Mugu. Each household received enough food for about two weeks, including rice, lentils, oil, salt, sugar and soap.

Returning migrant workers and hospital patients:

Sarwangin Sewa Samaj (SSS), a church-based network in Banke, gave vital food and drink to 2,000 migrant workers as they returned across the border into Nepal. They also fed 15 hospital patients at the Bheri Zonal Hospital, while ensuring that their volunteers had the equipment to protect themselves from contracting Covid-19.

Quarantine centres:

INF Nepal helped protect people staying at 14 quarantine centres, as they attempt to travel home – many returning from migrant labour in India. Food supplies and equipment such as mosquito nets were provided, as well as personal hygiene kits including items such as soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Supporting women, teenage girls, and children:

In Bajura, Group of Helping Hands (SAHAS) Nepal delivered a wide-ranging package of support: nutrition packs for 200 new and pregnant mothers, hygiene packs for 500 adolescent girls, 11 hand-washing stations were established at schools and health posts, and they also supported people at a quarantine centre. To help minimise the impact of schools being closed, 30 community-managed coaching centres were set up to deliver some education for 600 children.