Help desk is set up at the village for COVID-19.

In Nepal, the number of COVID-19 infected people is increasing hundreds every day and the total number has reached nearly 15,000 by early July. In FIDR project sites as well, the number continues increasing in the quarantine centres and transit areas which each Municipality and Rural Municipality prepared to control the spread of COVID-19.

Most cases found are the returnees from India, which is the major place for Nepalese to go for work. While many of them have recovered at the centres, there was a case that infected people ran away from the isolation house so people are afraid of the possibility of spreading at the community level.

Municipality and Rural Municipalities are preparing to accommodate the villagers for quarantine.

At the centres, the minimum package includes basic water supply, basic sanitation facilities for males and females, basic hygiene support with soap, hand washing stations, towels were provided by the GoN. The priority of the health post also has shifted to COVID-19 treatment. However, this is causing difficulties for others. For example, pregnant women are afraid to go for a regular check-up and even doctors tell people to avoid coming for medical examination to the health post.

In the villages, the people in need are increasing day by day. Due to imposition of lockdown, housing construction, road construction, daily wages work and local trade business were closed and many villagers lost their work opportunities at cities and abroad. They are forced to come back to their hometown but have no means to earn food.

The ward has been conducting relief activities such as rice and soap distribution to support vulnerable community people mainly Dalit workers. While the support helping the needy people, there are some voices that the supports do not always reach to the actual vulnerable group in Nepal community where strong nepotism & brotherhood culture remains.

People are under the unsecured situation in the villages, but paddy plantation is ongoing where irrigation facilities are available. Farmers are preparing for transplantation of main paddy crop as the monsoon rains started from mid-June.

Seasons for rice planting started as usual year.