Nepal & COVID-19
We have heard how COVID-19 has affected the lives of so many around the world and Nepal is no different, with daily infections around the 4-6,000 mark and an increasing death toll. We keep hearing from many of you how this has affected lives due to the continued threat of infection and limited movement and access to resources. In Nepal, the number of infections is increasing alarmingly with daily numbers between 4000-6000 and the death-toll increasing day by day. Even more alarming for the lower-class poor is the news that testing and treatment will no longer be borne by the state. Kathmandu has become extremely risky with the exponential increase of the Coronavirus.
There are, however, signs of hope. People have been learning to live with C-19 by adjusting priorities, living cost-effectively and looking to God to bring many positive outcomes from it even at a worldwide level.
ANC and Relief Support
The first lock-down of 120 days was on 11th April 2020 after 2 cases were identified in Nepal. People were forced to stay home with the threat of being beaten by the security forces and treated badly if they left their homes. Schools, government and public service offices, trade centres, hotels and industries were all closed. Daily wage-workers, people with disability, poor families, children and elderly people were most affected with stories of people in trouble and going hungry appeared on the news. Some heart-breaking stories told of people walking barefoot the 1600 km from India to their homes in Nepal.
On the 2nd week of the lockdown, we shared the situation with our praying and supporting friends who were moved to contribute so we could provide food and some non-food items to those in desperate need. Around 3,000 families (approx. 10,500 people) have been benefited. Financial aid, masks, gloves for immunization posts, school material, bags, uniforms and shoes were distributed.
Children & Disabled Suffer
People with disabilities from very poor backgrounds were the most affected as they could do nothing. Likewise, children also suffered in the lock-down. Being cut off from school and restricted to their homes with little to do but eat, they irritated their parents and exhausted the limited food supplies. Under pressure, they became victims of frustration and deprivation and within 70 days 1,200 mostly young people committed suicide due to psychosocial issues.
Much more has been happening through ACN but suffice it to say that without your compassionate giving we would not have been able to “make a difference.” The photo gallery says more in a few pictures than we could say in a book. Our sincere thanks. If you wish to continue donating please click on the donate button on this page.
