INGO provide support Rs. 45 million to government

Kathmandu, May 6

The Association of International NGOs in Nepal (AIN) in coordination with the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens (MoWCSC), and in collaboration with Social Welfare Council (SWC) has handed over medical assistance package to the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP).

The assistance worth Rs. 45.3 million is part of a joint procurement initiation led by AIN where 16 organisations are associated.

Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizen Parbat Gurung accompanied by Officiating Member Secretary of SWC Shiva Kumar Basnet and AIN Chair Achyut Kumar Luitel handed over the assistance to  Minister for Health and Population Bhanubhakta Dhakal on Wednesday.

The medical assistance package included Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) sets; safe delivery kits; infrared thermometers; water and air-proof aprons; surgical sterile globes and utility globes; KN95 masks and surgical masks; surgical goggles, sanitisation and disinfectant items, to cater mainly the medial workers in frontline response.

On the occasion, Minister Gurung thanked the supporters and said, "We are committed towards smooth and effective coordination with the non-profit sector to combat coronavirus pandemic while making the environment conducive for the sector to function.

Likewise, Minister Dhakal said that INGOs and NGOs' support at the time of crisis when procurement was particularly a challenge – was extremely appreciated.

He also urged one and all to coordinate with ministry for material supply across districts and states to avoid duplication and overstocking.

AIN Chair Luitel said that the government, development partners and civil society should stand together strongly working shoulder to shoulder in order to prevent, contain and combat COVID-19 as well as to support the long-term recovery and resilience building of the country.

AIN members ActionAid, ADRA Nepal, CARE Nepal, FAIRMED, Good Neighbours International Nepal, INF Nepal, Ipas Nepal, Lutheran World Federation, MountainChild, OneWorld Health, Oxfam, Plan International, Practical Action, UMN, WaterAid along with a NGO Nyaya Health Nepal had collaborated to collect the support.

AIN also said that that 65 AIN members were actively engaged in COVID-19 preparedness and response and at least Rs. 2 billion have been directed to prevent, contain and combat COVID-19 as well as to support livelihood and build economic resilience.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 7 May 2020.