The COVID outbreak has caused a shift in our approach with delivering our ICO Nepal health programs. The COVID outbreak started much later in Nepal than most of the world. At the beginning of May there were only 16 cases and by the end of August the number was around 40,000. The number is believed to much higher due to limited testing. The country was put in lockdown for many months resulting in mass unemployment with many challenges.

ICO wants to especially thank ICO Nepal member Binod Koirala for his tireless work on the ground meeting with community leaders, social workers and elected officials to help find the most at need.

ICO was able to immediately help by paying for a surgery and medicine for a young woman who was suffering from a lung condition making it difficult to walk and look after a young child. The woman and her husband are both unemployed due to COVID and were previously struggling working day to day jobs.

A new widow penniless with no income, with 2 kids and no place to stay has been helped with resources of giving her food for the month, guaranteed school fees (when the schools return) and mental health help. She has been given temporary shelter from relatives and ICO will continue to monitor the situation.

The Days for Girls program shifted and sanitary kits were distributed at women’s shelters, safe homes and quarantine centres. Quarantine centres were supplied with mugs, kettles, hand sanitizers and masks.

A food distribution program was established to feed the most at risk which includes single mothers, elderly and families with no income. Special thanks to all donors who without their help this project would not be possible.