Kathmandu – Nepal is under lockdown for more than 60 days. The coronavirus crisis has terrible effects in the economy of the country.
Millions of Nepalis who rely on daily wages from informal work suddenly have no income, and are facing an acute crisis due to the lockdown.
Many such workers are stranded hundreds of kilometers from home.Business and industry, except those dealing in food and essential goods, are shut.
According to the government, the coronavirus crisis has supplemented the challenges and the country has lost about Rs 150 billion so far and is likely to lose Rs 300 billion by the end of this fiscal, which has huge impact upon all the section of society.
The crisis will have a profound impact on individual’s perspective on life, society, employment and economic activities. The crisis has affected income, employment and livelihood of thousands of people.
Hundreds and thousands of migrant workers and people engaged in the informal works are residing within Kathmandu. Due to lengthy lockdown measures and increasing COVID 19 cases, the marginalized workers and family of laborer’s are facing difficulties for their livelihood.
They have used their stock rations, their money and saving after the lockdown. They don’t have job now and lost all of the income sources. It is not possible to travel back to their villages due to the lockdown measure.
The restriction and lockdown measure are being strict in this, unprecedented situation, it is very necessary to help sustaining families of these poor who are renting their living within Kathmandu and major cities around the country.
Analyzing the current situation where, people might die due to hunger then due to the coronavirus, Mr.Sujan Gautam and his team distributed relief efforts to 40 families in Amarawatimarga, Koteshower, Kathmandu. He is Graduate scholar and representative of Wells Mountain Initiative. Mr. Gautam received Community Response Grant from Wells Mountain initiative for the relief support.
He provided package of Rice, Dal, Chickpea, cooking oil, soap and mask. His organization in Nepal (NAFSCOL Krishibanpvt ltd.) provided support with package of vegetable seeds for interested relief recipient who can do terrace or backyard farming with will help them to meet need of the vegetable in the unsure future with this pandemic.
This relief effort is helping to meet nutritional requirements to the family member of the affected families. It is very necessary that we as an individual should think to support the poorer and marginalized families within our community.
Mr. Gautam’ s effort is an example that can be replicated in different part of the nation and worldwide. In this complicated situation solidarity will help to win the war against COVID 19.
