From a Nepali Christian leader
Nepal is no exception to the present COVID-19 situation. Ever since the first identification of COVID in February it gradually increased. In the month of March, it became very obvious with Nepalis traveling to the country from China and the Western world.
The government of Nepal imposed a lockdown from March the 24th that lasted almost 5 months, forcing closure of religious/social gatherings, markets, jobs, and movement from one place to another. After a few weeks of partially lifting the lockdown, government again imposed the second lockdown.
Such prolonged lockdown has created havoc and uncertainty for the people of Nepal. People started dying not only with COVID but also with starvation, even committing suicide due to mental crisis and being imprisoned at home. The hate, rejection, and stigma against corona-positive health workers increased so much that they were not even able to return to their homes or to their rented home.
Unfortunately, government was not able to cope with this situation by providing relief materials to people who lost their job, or even to offer any concession or subsidy to the business houses. Due to constant lockdown, so many businesses have been closed down, and millions of people are without a job.
However, some non-government organizations, individuals, and churches have distributed foods to the needy people since government’s relief work is just nominal. The government lacked in providing foods, proper quarantine and reliable health care. We can see people on the road crying for foods, in hunger.
We thank the Lord that people of churches are helping with foods with whatever resources they could get but that is so little compared to the needs.
Prayer concern, please pray:
- That lockdown would be fully lifted.
- For the government to provide a robust health care system.
- That people and businesses would start their jobs, to sustain their lives.
- That the Church would be sensitive to the needs of the people.