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By APD writer Shristi Kafle
The United Nations and its partners have launched the "Nepal COVID-19 Response Plan" on Friday calling for US$ 83.7 million to mobilize an emergency response over the next three months.
As Nepal faces second wave of COVID-19 outbreak, the UN appealed to assist 750,000 of the most vulnerable people affected by the pandemic.
The plan was endorsed by the Nepal Humanitarian Country Team and the Government of Nepal’s COVID-19 Crisis Management Centre and lays out critical areas of support required to complement the Government of Nepal’s response efforts, according to the statement issued by UN Nepal.
UN Resident Coordinator Sara Beysolow Nyanti was quoted in the statement, “The current outbreak is having a devastating impact not just on health but across all sectors, hitting the poorest and most marginalized people in Nepali society the hardest. The COVID-19 Response Plan calls for swift action and international solidarity that is desperately needed to save lives and prevent unnecessary suffering today, tomorrow, and in the difficult weeks to come. We have no time to lose.”
Covid cases began to increase rapidly in mid-April in Nepal, rising from 150 cases per day in early April to over 8,000 cases per day since the first week of May.
Over 44% of COVID-19 tests nationally are coming back positive, suggesting that case numbers are much higher than reported.
Dr. Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav, WHO Representative to Nepal, said, “The recent surge in cases has resulted in an unprecedented need for medical supplies including oxygen, medicines, ventilators, diagnostic kits and vaccines. While WHO and partners are supporting the Nepal Government’s endeavors in mounting a robust response, fighting the pandemic necessitates international solidarity. I appeal to friends of Nepal from around the world to come forward and help with fulfilling the needs of the hour.”
The UN mentioned that millions of people in Nepal are struggling not just with the direct health impact of COVID-19, but also with hunger, malnutrition, devastating economic losses, and other health needs that are being overlooked.
"The Nepal COVID-19 Response Plan brings together the priority response activities as set out by the COVID-10 Preparedness and Response Plan (CPRP) to address both the health and humanitarian consequences of COVID-19," it said, adding that "The Government of Nepal is leading the response, but capacities are stretched to breaking point and international solidarity is urgently needed to assist the most vulnerable people with life-saving response activities in health, food security, education, nutrition, shelter, protection and water and sanitation."
“We must come together, nationally and internationally, if we are to prevent interrupted childhoods in Nepal from being lost for good," Elke Wisch, UNICEF Representative for Nepal, said.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
