LWF/SNJD Contributed for Quarantine in Jhapa
The ongoing Nobel Corona Virus (COVID-19) has caused daily life of the people in Nepal. As of 20th May, there are 402 positive cases in Nepal and thousands of people have entered into the country from India and abroad. The influx of the people from outside has increased possible cases in the country, therefore Government of Nepal has extended lockdown until 2nd June 2020 .
In this crisis situation, LWF Nepal and its implementing partners are actively engaged in COVID-19 response focusing most marginalized and people at risk in close collaboration with Federal, Provincial and Local Governments. The Social Network for Justice and Development (SNJD), an implementing partner of LWF Nepal supported by ALWS/ANCP program from Australian Government has provided essential materials for quarantine established at Mechi Multiple Campus in Bhadrapur, Jhapa. Mr. Somnath Bhattrai, Chairperson of the SNJD in coordination with District Red Cross Society, Jhapa handed over the 200 pieces of bed sheets, 200 pieces of mosquito nets, 200 pieces of woolen blankets, 200 pieces of mattresses, 10 IRT, 120 N-95 masks, 425 disposable hand gloves, 100 disposable mask, 100 house gloves, and 400 pieces of 500ml sanitizer to the Chief District Officer (CDO), Jhapa, Mr. Udaya Bahadur Rana. The CDO, who is also the Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) Jhapa, thanked the team of SNJD and supporting agencies. He also appreciated about the supports made for the quarantine.
In the same program, Major General, Mr. Juddha Bahadur Niraula, from Shreenath Battalion Chandragadhi said that a 125 bedded quarantine is in under construction at the building of Mechi Multiple Campus to accommodate the Nepalese people who are expecting to come from India as the lockdown situation becomes flexible. These logistic items will support to manage the basic facilities at the quarantine. Many Nepali people who had been working in India are escaping from there and arriving at the border to enter into the country and through the district headquarter to their villages in eastern part of Nepal. Therefore, the situation in the district is very risky because of Corona Virus Infection (COVID- 19) and potential pandemic. The DDMC had been appealing to the development agencies and private sectors for their support to extend the capacity of quarantine in the district so that they can use to quarantine to those people before they leave to their respective homes.
The handover program was organized in the presence of Mr. Lokraj Dhakal, President of Nepal Red Cross Society, Jhapa, and Mr. Resham Kumar Thaksul, Senior Superintendent Police of Armed Police Force, Jhapa.
Mr. Lok Raj Dhakal, president of Red Cross Society, Jhapa said that ‘since the security forces, who are contributing to control the unnecessary movement of people and possible spread of COVID-19 pandemic are in risk as well in the absence of required personal protective equipment. Therefore, the logistics for the quarantine as well as the protective equipment to the security forces is really an appreciative work of the organization. This will develop confidence to the security forces for their dedication towards the work.
Mr. Ranjan Dhamal, a volunteer to SNJD, informed that SNJD had handed over additional materials of 30 sets of plywood beds, mattresses, bed sheets, pillows, towels, woolen blankets, mosquito nets, dustbins, slippers, plastic buckets, kitchen utensils and soaps to the district police office on 5th April 2020 and 20 sets of same types of items for the quarantine established at Jhapa Rural Municipality, Jhapa on 4th April 2020 including 2,000 pieces of soaps to the vulnerable families from the rural municipality. SNJD has been contributing for the COVID-19 awareness disseminating posters and pamphlets at the remote villages of Jhapa district since very beginning with the funding and technical support from LWF Nepal.
