Nepal Needs Emergency Assistance Too

Urgent international support is needed to prevent a worsening humanitarian catastrophe in countries across South Asia, announced the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) on May 5, 2021. 

In Nepal, many hospitals are full and overflowing with COVID-19 patients.

Southern towns near the Indian border are unable to cope with the growing number of people needing medical treatment. Nepal is recording 57 times more COVID-19 cases than this time last month. 

Across Nepal, 44% of tests recently returned positive results according to government authorities, indicating many thousands of infections are undiagnosed.

Nepal Red Cross Chairperson, Dr. Netra Prasad Timsina, said in an IFRC statement, “What is happening in India right now is a horrifying preview of Nepal’s future if we cannot contain this latest COVID surge that is claiming more lives by the minute."

“Every effort is being made to save lives right now across Nepal with increased medical treatment. Nepal Red Cross volunteer health teams are also reducing record infections by helping with testing, vaccinations, handwashing, mask-wearing, and isolating infected people." 

“It is beyond distressing to see that people cannot say goodbye to their loved ones as cremations are taking place at record levels due to these new COVID variants, which are striking down people of all ages in Nepal.” 

All South Asian countries have started vaccinating people who are most at-risk, yet in Nepal, only 1% of the population has received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, as of May 5th.

The IFRC's Asia Pacific Director Alexander Matheou added, "This coronavirus has no respect for borders. Nepal urgently needs support, to save more lives and treat people who are suffering. We will not succeed in overcoming this terrible disease until vaccines are available to protect everyone, regardless of nationality or income.”