Covid19: Nepal Response Situation Report No. II As of April 13, 2020, Banke, Bardia, Kailali, Kanchanpur, Doti and Dailekh NEPAL HIGHLIGHTS 0 14 103 5,691 7,166 Death Confirm Person in Isolation Persons tested for COVID-19 Persons in quarantine positive cases Source https://covid19.mohp.gov.np/#/ (as of April 13, 2020) • Nepal has entered the second stage of coronavirus transmission as the first locally transmitted case has been identified in the Far Western Region on 4th April, 2020. • The country lock-down started on 24th March, 2020 continues until 15th April, 2020. • The flights are suspended until 30th April, 2020. • Expansion of laboratory service: In addition to National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL), Teku, lab test through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) has started and is functional in 13 institutions of all seven Provinces (in 52 out of 77 districts) through Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) https://covid19.mohp.gov.np/#/covidMap. • Patients of chronic ailments cannot afford to avoid hospitals, but they’re afraid of catching COVID-19. Fears have been exacerbated by news that healthcare workers are forced to work without proper protection, which puts them and patients both at risk of infection. • Cases of domestic violence has increased during lockdown issues raised by media and women HR activists; DCA is exploring this situation from its working areas too. • The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) has introduced a new app “Hamro Swasthya”, which provides all the updated information on COVID-19 to public, offers possibility of self-assessment by individuals on the symptoms, and helps relevant authorities to act fast when cases in red zone are identified. So far, 15,687 people have self-assessed using this app and the Ministry’s web portal, of which, 219 are in red zone. The government has started contacting them for further test. • Nepal looks at its tough times ahead as World Bank predicts a growth rate between 1.5 and 2.8 per cent. The government had targeted a growth rate of 8.5 per cent for this fiscal year; however, the pandemic and the ensuing lockdown have adversely affected the target. • Central Bank announces relief measures for businesses affected by COVID-19. Nepal Rastra Bank has rescheduled loan repayments and will prioritise refinance facilities for small and medium-scale industries. • The Supreme Court has issued an interim order to the government, telling it to repatriate Nepalese facing hardship in meeting their basic needs abroad in the wake of the global coronavirus crisis. • The Social Welfare Council (SWC) has asked all the INGOs to submit proposals for COVID-19 response activities, with the reallocation of up to 20 per cent of their approved budget for various ongoing projects. • The Association of International NGOs (AIN) is in close contact with the relevant government authorities including SWC, seeking clear guidance for INGOs to support the nation in this difficult situation, and has been circulating all the relevant information in the fast pace. Nepal COVID-19 Food Security and Vulnerability Update 1 #WorldFoodProgramme • Karnali Province: Food stocks, sufficient for 1-2 months, have decreased over the past two weeks of lock- down, with fruit and vegetable stocks almost depleted. The price of rice and oil has increased by 20 to 30 per cent; price of vegetables have gone up by 30 to 60 per cent. Despite price hikes, farmers are often unable to sell their products in the market. • Sudurpaschim Province: Restrictions on movement have already affected local farmers’ ability to sell their product and market openings. While market food stock is sufficient for 1 to2 months, as in Karnali Province, stocks are rapidly decreasing due to a supply constraint from limited transport services. Sharecast Initiative Nepal (Research organisation) Survey Report, April 7, 2020 (1,110 respondents) • Two third of the respondents are living in fear. They fear about open boarder, returnee migrants who have not followed quarantine nor have been tested for COVID-19. Some also fear that they will not get proper treatment if they contract the virus. • Many say that the lockdown has been very effective and is worth continuing until things settle down. • Radio, TV, Online and Social Media, Friends and family are the key source of information to be updated about COVID-19 developments. RADIP NEED ASSESSMENT CONDUCTED IN ACHHAM, KANCHANPUR, DOTI, KAILALI AND DAILEKH DISTRICT BY DCA • There are 141 public health institutions in 27 R/Municipalities of these districts (DCA working areas). • Of the total migrant’s returnees, 721 individuals are staying in 95 quarantine centres established by the Local Government (LG). Similarly, there are 62 isolation centres in those districts, 8 individuals are staying in isolation centres. A total of 461 individuals were tested for COVID-19, and 4 individuals tested positive for COVID-19. Sector wise Gap • Health: The health facilities do not have the trained human resources, and they lack basic protection and medical equipment for the effective COVID-19 response. • Inadequate medical gears: Influenza Thermometer, Thermal Guns, PPE sets, Hand sanitizer, Antiseptic spray, Surgical Mask, N95 Mask, Examination Gloves, Utilities Gloves, Disposal Boxes, Essential drugs, Oxygen mask, Soaps. • Basic facilities lacking in quarantines: Beds and bedding materials, proper toilet facilities, safe drinking water, medical personnel for observation, nutritious food ration, Sanitizer, WASH Kit, Surgical mask, Gloves, Mosquito net, Toilets, safe spaces for women and girls, utensils and electric boiling pots. • Required Food support (HHs): According to the assessment conducted by the LG in Kailali, Achham, Kanchanpur and Dailekh Districts, 17, 823 HHs require immediate food support. • Awareness Programmes: The expert two-way phoning programme is required in these districts specially to answer the questions of the people who are living in uncertainties regarding the COVID-19. • Market: There is a scarcity of medical gears in the local market. Service providers in Achham and Doti Districts are completely dependent to Dhangadi in the Far West, while Dailekh to Nepalgunj. The market, therefore, lack adequate medical gears to meet the demand, and is hugely unstable. DCA HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE • 1,329 HHs received food package good for one month, quarantine centres received 140 Bedding sets, Health Facilities received 51 PPE sets, 11 Thermal Guns, 161 pkts gloves, 11,005 normal masks, 25pcs N95 Masks, the people received 763 sanitary pads, 241.4 l sanitizer, 9,420 soaps, 100 sets of bucket and jug. • FM stations to disseminate COVID-19 awareness materials through jingles, radio-drama and phone-in life- line programmes in all working districts. • Smart Palika Apps in six municipalities of Doti and Achham District to disseminate the COVID-19 awareness materials. • DCA social media – Facebook and twitter account of DCA and partners to raise awareness on COVID-19 through celebrities’ videos, awareness infographics and audio messages. District Wise Support Kanchanpur, through the local partner-NNSWA: 500 HHs received food package, 14 PPE set, 10 thermal guns, 53 Pkt gloves, 5,500 pcs normal masks, 23 pairs gloves, additional 100 ltrs sanitizers, 5,350 soaps, 100 sets buckets and Jugs. These supports were provided to Belauri, Bedkot, Suklaphanta, Krishnapur, Laljhadi, Mahakali Punarbas, Beldadi R/Municipalities, Mahakali Hospital, Quarantaine at Bheemdutta and women cooperatives in Belauri Municipality. Dailekh, through the local partner - SOSEC: Food supplies (rice, cooking oil, salt, pulse, sugar and tea) for 529 HHs good for one month, 75 bedding sets for quarantines, 37 PPE sets, 630 normal masks, 10 N95 mask 8 pkt gloves, 21 ltrs sanitizer. These supports were provided to Dullu, Aathbish, Panchdewal, Naumule, Bhagwatimai, Chamundabindrasaini and Bharawi R/Municipalities. Doti, through the local partner - EDC: Soaps to 1,640 HHs, and 3,375 normal masks to Jorayal and KI Singh Rural Municipalities. A Radio Show for life-line communication "Sajhedari" launched through Shaileswari Radio, Doti. The radio show will continue for a month. Radio jingles on COVID-19 awareness will air every day for one month. Bardiya, through the local partner TWUC: Food supplies (rice, cooking oil, salt, pulse, sugar and tea) for 100 HHs, 1,500 masks to the community and DDRC members, 565 sanitary pads, 120 ltrs sanitizer, 65 set beddings including mosquito nets for quarantines, 6 Flexes placed in strategic locations with COVID-19 awareness messages. These supports were provided to Barbardiya Municipality. A Radio Show for lifeline communication "Sajhedari" launched in Radio Tiger Bardiya. The radio show will continue for a month. The radio jingles on COVID-19 awareness will air 6 times a day for one month. Kailali, through the local partner DWRF: Food Supplies for 200 HHs, 400 soaps, 213 sanitary pads, and 1,050 more eggs provided to pregnant and lactating mothers in Gauraganaga and Kailari Rural Municipalities. Additional support planned for this week: Doti: 9,000 pcs surgical masks, 9,000 pcs soaps, 200 pcs N95 masks (to health posts through the municipal office), 20 pcs thermal guns (health posts), 20 sets PPEs, 100 ltrs hand sanitizers, 10 hand-washing centres at the community, 300 pcs blankets to the quarantine centre and 30 pkt gloves for health posts. Public Service Announcement (PSA) and other radio shows through local FMs (Nepali and Local Language) for a month. Bardiya through the local partner TWUC: 50 N95 mask and 4 hand washing corners with 200 soaps in the community. Banke through the local partner FEDO: Food package for 150 HHs, 30pcs mosquito nets, 30 sets hygiene kits, 1,000 pkts sanitary pads, 1,600 pcs surgical masks, 1,200 pcs soaps, 200 bottles hand sanitizers, PSAs and a radio shows through local FM (Nepali and Local Language) for a month. Note: All these efforts were done in close coordination and leadership of the LG, and that we will do the same in future.