Nepal: COVID CRISIS

News reports are warning Nepal faces a COVID-19 human catastrophe:

“… as bad, if not worse, than in neighbouring India,
with which it shares a long and porous border.”
The Guardian

Last week, Nepal reported its highest ever daily infections – 9,070.

Frighteningly, the percentage of COVID tests that come back positive is currently 47%.

As you know, through ALWS you already work in Nepal, in the areas hardest hit by poverty, and with the people most in danger.

What you might not know is that you are already delivering COVID care where you are needed most:

The LWF team you support in Nepal delivered these supplies last Thursday (6 May) to Jhapa Rural Municipality. Jhapa borders India, and so is in the front-line COVID danger zone.

Your COVID-19 protection aid here includes:

• 5 hospital beds
• 5 IV stands
• 5 bedsheets
• 5 pillows with cover
• 40 face shields
• 3 x 30 litre dustbins
• 1,000 surgical masks

You can see below the hospital bed is a lot different to what we are used to in Australia …

… but our challenge in Nepal is working in very remote regions, where transport and logistics are a real challenge.

However, community by community, you provide care that can be lifesaving.

The equipment you see above will be part of a 20 bed Isolation Centre the local government is setting up. It is essential because two people in this small area have already died from COVID-19, and another 29 are in home isolation.

As with all your ALWS work in Nepal, aid is offered to all.

You help people regardless of religion, gender and politics …

… and your care is focused on those who are most vulnerable because of age, disability or status in community – the precious people who too often are forgotten.

The good news is your ALWS work here is partnered by the Australian Government on a 5:1 basis.

The way the Australian Government explains this partnership is as follows:

Every donation you make to this project will be combined with funding from the Australian Government to reach more people. We have committed to contribute $1 for every $5 we receive from the Australian government. Your donation will allow us to extend our programs.

If you would like to use this 5:1 Australian Government Grant to help people in Nepal, including projects providing COVID-19 protection, simply donate here.

Your ALWS action

$22 can supply food and nutrition to families infected with COVID-19
Target: 480 families

$108 can revive livelihood for someone who has lost income source due to COVID
Target: 100 people

$3,797 can provide Hospital Equipment – beds, bedding, Oximeter, Oxygen Concentrator, Portable Electric Suction Machine
Target: 2 Hospitals

$3 can supply soap and hand sanitiser to Dalit families (regarded as lowest caste)
Target: 250 households

$610 can support a Community Handwashing & Sanitation Station
Target: 8 Stations

YOUR DONATION IS TAX-DEDUCTIBLE + MATCHED 5:1 BY AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT GRANT

DONATE NOW

For now, I thank you for everything you already do through ALWS to help people in danger, wherever they may be …

… and welcome your prayers now for the safety of the frontline LWF staff taking your care where you are needed most, like here in Jhapa in Nepal.

Jonathan