Nestling Trust News:: UK Registered Charity

Update from Subash Shiwakoti - Saving Lives in Remote area of Nepal

18/6/2020

Today (18 June 2020) the active cases are 7848 (Seven Thousands Eight Hundred Forty Eight). COVID 19 is escalating in Nepal daily. t is the 87th day of lockdown, but still Nepali people, from neighbouring countries, mainly India are returning. They are migrant workers who have lost their jobs due to the Covid-19 and lockdown everywhere.
The situation is getting worse day by day. In the last ten days cases those found to be infected have doubled.
The Nestling Trust (TNT) through their partner NGO SITARA, provided PPE - surgical masks, gloves, soap, sanitizer, disinfectant etc. to Health Posts in five remote areas of Dolakha Nepal. Should Covid-19 spread to such remote areas it will be disastrous due to the lack of very basic medical items. People from those areas have no easy access to facilities, where symptoms of the COVID-19 can be treated. They have to travel long way to visit the Primary Health Centre or a hospital and the roads and tracks across the mountains are very bad and often impassable.
We have heard from the remote Health Posts of Chilankha and Lapilang (established by TNT and SITARA in 2016) that so far the villagers are safe. They are following the World health Organisation and government guidelines to prevent infection by COVID 19. Nurses are teaching effective hand washing and self-distancing measures.
Due to the continuous lockdown and resulting loss of livelihoods, hunger is becoming a major problem.
TNT is helping reduce the spread of the coronavirus and we are thankful to TNT from the bottom of our heart.
Subash Shiwakoti

FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN TO HELP STOP SPREAD OF COVID-19 IN NEPAL

25/5/2020

THE EVEREST VIRTUAL CHALLENGE - HELP SAVE LIVES IN NEPAL
June 2020

By hiking up any hill near you the equivalent times to reach the summit of Everest you can take part in the challenge to help save lives in Nepal.

Anyone from anywhere in the world is welcome to join the High Hopes team! Find out more..

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To sponsor an individual click the button below then click the Donate to a Team Member button

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Coronavirus is an unprecedented global emergency. Nepal, one of the most vulnerable developing countries, is now facing a catastrophe of immense proportions. The frail infrastructure means that health services will be completely overwhelmed and it is vital to support measures to help prevent the spread.
In the last 6 years The NestlingTrust (TNT) with partner NGO Sitara, working with the Nepal Ministry of Health has established five Health Posts in the mountainous region of Dolakha Nepal, where previously no health facility existed. Each health post serves a population of approximately 6000. Now it is vital to ensure these health post have the necessary medical supplies and equipment to help prevent the spread of the Covid-19.
TNT has already provided infrared thermometers and protective equipment so nurses are able to check returning migrant workers and villagers for signs and symptoms of the deadly virus. Much more is needed to equip isolation areas, and supply food to those who have lost jobs and now face hunger.

The country remains in lockdown

20/5/2020

The Ministry of Health and Population confirmed 27 new cases of coronavirus infection on Tuesday, taking the nationwide tally to 402. The country remains in lockdown and people are urged to practice effective handwashing and self distancing.

Children at the Sarangkot Nestling Home practice self distance and correct handwashing

14/5/2020

Covid-19 Update Report from Subash Shiwakoti TNT Director in Nepal

12/5/2020

Today there are 191 Covid-19 cases, of these 57 cases were identified today, the largest number since lockdown throughout the country.
We have two types of test i.e PCR and RDT. PCR tests near about 19000 and From RDT 60000. As we heard PCR is real test.
Testing is going on in all provinces. Mostly affected area is the Indian Boarder. Today's test found a nurse affected and a journalist. None in Kathmandu now.
There are about 3 Million Nepalese migrant workers, mostly in Golf Countries. Now, as per the Online news many Nepalese want to get back to Nepal. Among those 3 million 407,000 want to return. 127,000 have expired visaa and need to return urgently. Right now nobody knows how they can come, but public is making pressure to government to bring those migrant workers back to Nepal.
I think due to the lack of Quarantine places to keep the returnee migrants, it is a big problem for government to bring them.
It is the same for Nepalese people from India, who are at the border - they are being held there, they want to come to Nepal. If Indian are on Nepalese Boarder Nepal is feeding them, and Nepalese on Indian Boarder, India is feeding them. After the completion of 14 days they do entered to the specific Country.
Actually, due to the open Boarder, no record how many Nepalese are in India but it is assumed more then 2 million. Due to the situation, everywhere there is no employment, people have lost jobs and it is a big problem.

Covid- 19 cases increase and Lockdown extended now until 18th May '20

6/5/2020

As Covid-19 cases increase, the situation is becoming critical forcing the Government to extend Lockdown until 18th May.

Already Narayani Hospital, one of the main hospitals receiving Covid -19 patients is struggling to cope. The hospital has just one ventilator!

In developing countries, like Nepal, where so many rural areas are without any healthcare facilities the spread of the Coronavirus will be disastrous.

The Nestling Trust is seeking to help equip the isolation areas in Marbu and Melung, which are woefully lacking in even basic essential equipment. (See photos below) Should anyone wish to contribute through the 'Justgiving' button on this website, we would be most grateful.

Marbu nurses check people returning to their village from kathmandu

'Lockdown' Extended - Thousands Flee Back to their Villages

26/4/2020

Nepali migrant workers from China, India, and the Gulf States as well as Kathmandu are now without jobs or livelihoods due to 'Lockdown' in these countries as well as Nepal.
Without money or places to live, thousands now have no option but to return to their villages all over Nepal.
Crowded local buses and trucks or groups travelling on foot and sleeping rough - the risk of spreading the Covid-19 is huge.
In many remote villages there are no local health facilities.
The Nestling Trust with Sitara, has been working to help reduce the spread of the virus by equipping five Health Posts and two District Health Centres in Dolakha with the medical equipment and PPE.
Patients identified who may be suffering from Covid-19 will be isolated for 14 days.

Health Post nurses in Marbu this week checked a bus load of people arriving back from Kathmandu.

The local Primary School is being used as an isolation ward for anyone with symptoms.

SITARA Completes Deliveries to 5th Health Post and 2 District Public Health Centres.

23/4/2020

As dawn broke today, Sitara General Secretary Chuda and TNT director Subash Shiwakoti travelled under special licence from Kathmandu to the mountainous region of Dolakha. Despite the 'lockdown' all over Nepal, permission had been grated for them to take much needed supplies of PPE and medical equipment to the Melung Health Post and to two District Public Health Centres. Each Health Post established by TNT as well as the two district public health centres now have equipment to help reduce the spread of the Corinavirus. All the supplies and delivery costs have been funded by the TNT who have also provided soap to be distributed to the villagers.

Delivery of essential Personal Protective Equipment and other vital medical items!

21/4/2020

TNT has funded essential items for helping reduce the spread of the Corinavirus Covid-19 in Nepal. Sitara our partner NGO arranged delivery to four Health Posts and a remote District Health Centre today, and a further delivery to the 5th Health Post in Lapilang and another District Health Centre is planned for Thursday. Prior to this delivery all the medical facilities were desperately short of masks, aprons, gloves and had no infrared thermometers. At the time of such worldwide shortages it is amazing that Sitara has been able to locate these items and we thank them most sincerely for their hard work and perseverance. Thank you also to all our loyal supporters - it is because of you this has been possible.

Latest Updates - Our Projects In Nepal Amidst The Coronavirus

19/4/2020

1. Health Posts In Marbu, Lapilang, Bhirkot, Chilankha And Melung
Migrant workers from China and India who have lost their jobs through the Covid-19 virus are returning to their villages. This is also true of thousands of workers in Kathmandu who have lost their jobs because of the 'lockdown' in Nepal now entering the 26th day. The likelihood of the virus spreading to the many remote villages is therefore extremely high.

The Nestling Trust(TNT) has through Sitara, our partner NGO, located masks, gloves, aprons, disinfectant, thermo thermometers and sanitizer, for the nurses and staff in the five Health Posts we have established, and also for the District Public Health Centre in Dolakha. We are currently seeking a special license (due to the lockdown) from the government, to allow transportation of the supplies to the remote villages of Marbu, Bhirkot, Lapilang, Chilankha, and Melung.

The Health Posts are currently providing Health education for villagers regarding measures to prevent the spread of the virus such as handwashing and self-distancing. We are supplying soap for families too poor to afford it.

The Health Posts of Marbu and Melung have taken over the local school building in each village, and are making isolation wards but there is desperate lack of equipment in the face of the approaching disaster.
We know that no patient in these areas will have access to ventilators or anything like the facilities they might find in a city hospital. TNT is trying to raise funds to help in providing some equipment for these isolation wards, at present there is not even any oxygen. The photos below show the preparation of the isolation ward in the local school in Melung, it also shows the desperate need of equipment!

2. Preeti Project
The Nestling Trust and Sitara our partner NGO have been working with the Local government at Preeti, a very mountainous and remote area of Ramechap region. Here 30,000 people are without medical facility and we plan to help build and establish a Health and Birthing Centre. Sadly due to the Corinavirus and the lockdown in Nepal, the plan has had to be delayed. This is very frustrating however, money raised by TNT to commence this project has been 'ringfenced' until we have permission from the Social Welfare Council to go ahead.

3. The Nestling Children's Home, Sarangkot

Our partner NGO Himshikhara, reports that all the children and staff are well and happy. The Home manager and staff have been given advice instructed by the Nepal government and the World Health Organisation re helping to prevent the spread of Covid-19 virus and to keep safe. Special emphasis has been made with regard to effective handwashing and self distancing.
Nirmala, the Home Mother is able to Homeschool the children while the schools remain closed in Nepal.
The Home has two buffalos which provide milk and there are chickens producing eggs.
Despite three severe thunderstorms with hailstones measuring 3-4 cm, there are vegetables such as cabbage and cauliflower planted on the land, which have survived! A plastic crop tunnel is to be constructed to protect the vegetables from adverse weather.
Other essential such as lentils, rice and oil, to last for approximately two months have been purchased so to avoid the need to visit the local town during the 'lockdown'.
There is a Health Post within 10 minute walk should medical care be required.

Covid-19 And The Effect On The Nepali People.

18/4/2020

Report from Bijendra Aryal, Nestling Trust Director, Kathmandu
The number of Covid-19 infected people has now reached forty seven. As the number increases people are panicking - they fear that the government will increase the 'lockdown' and this will result in people dying of hunger rather than by COVID 19. The reason is that they have lost their jobs and livelihoods and so have no money to buy food. People are returning to their villages without caring about the possible effect of spreading the coronavirus, people are going on trucks and busses. There is a lack in coordination and effective management. It is affecting everyone but especially the underprivileged - children and families are suffering.

Only the big supermarkets are allowed to open so people think that government is discriminating against the small shopkeepers who have been forced to close.
There is a lack of awareness of social distancing. Hundreds of people gather in public places to get food and that has increased the chances of spreading of virus. We don’t know how many people are infected, one family who has been sewing and distributing masks was found infected with corona today.

In the villages there is a greater lack of awareness, due to gatherings and partying ,whole villages could be infected.
When 'lockdown' is over and people start to come back to Kathmandu from the villages then the situation in Kathmandu will be made worse. Hospitals will struggle, already it has been announced that there is scarcity of blood in blood banks.

Thousands leave Kathmandu for their villages. Due to 'lockdown' no jobs and no money.
No social distancing as many crowd into lorries!

For many walking is the only option - journeys can take 7 to 10 days

Exhausted Families Rest Enroute To Their Villages

Report from Subash Siwakoti Nestling Trust director in Kathmandu, Nepal

17/4/2020

Impact of Coronavirus Covid -19 in Nepal.

Coronavirus Covid-19 arrives into Nepal.
A student doing his PhD in Wuhan, China, returned to Nepal on 5th January 2020. He was admitted to hospital complaining of respiratory problems on 13th January 2020. Throat swabs and blood samples taken from the student were sent to the WHO’s Collaborating Centre in Hong Kong. After treatment and medication the student's condition improved and he was discharged after five days, but crucially before a report showing positive results was sent back to the hospital. Efforts were made to trace the student's family but there was no indication as to where the man had gone or what his activities had been after discharge.

Development.
24th March 2020 Nepal Government announces a total lockdown which is being enforced by security forces.
17th April 2020 in a single day an increase of 14 active cases bringing the total to 30.
The Government is increasing the testing through Rapid Diagnostic Test and PCR Machine. So far nearly 25000 people have been tested and 30 confirmed positive.

Observations
Today is the 25th day of the Lockdown of Nepal, now the social effects can be seen. Jobs and livelihoods are lost especially those earning daily labour wages such as those in city areas and those involved in construction suddenly there is no money coming in and so have no means to buy food.
People are going to their villages by foot carrying the children and all their belongings. They have to walk 50 Km to 800 Km to reach their destinations. On the way, they have no place to eat and only streets and fields to sleep. It is difficult to cross from one district to another. Sometimes they are prevented by local people fearful of any virus they may have and sometimes stopped and turned back by police, but they have nowhere else to go. Now it is the matter of hunger and a humanitarian disaster. Already many people in Kathmandu are hungry due to 'Lockdown' and being unable to work. These Government measures have now been extended until 30th April '20, and enforcement is very strict.
Subash Shiwakoti

The Nestling Trust is providing PPE for the 5 Health Posts in Marbu, Lapilang. Bhirkot, Chilankha and Melung plus the District Health Office

15/4/2020

Sitara our partner NGO has managed to locate much needed personal protective equipment for the nurses and staff at all five health posts which TNT and Sitara has helped build and establish. It is imperative that TNT supports the clinics as well as the District Health Office (DHO) in Dolakha, in their quest to prevent or slow, the spread of the Covid-19 virus in Nepal. TNT today transferred NR's 666000 (£4,500) for the purchase of masks, gloves. aprons, thermogun thermometers, disinfectant, buckets, sanitiser for the Health Posts and DHO, and also soap for the villagers.

Covid -19 Coronavirus In Nepal.

14/4/2020

In response to the Corinavirus pandemic the Nepal government announced a total 'Lockdown' on 24th March '20. This is being enforced by the security forces.

By the 2nd April '20 only 5 cases of people suffering with the virus had been confirmed but it is thought that this is due to lack of resources. So far less than 1000 have undergone testing.

Many migrant workers have returned from India, the Gulf States and China and prior to the 'Lockdown' thousands of Nepali families left Kathmandu and headed for their home villages. It could well be that Corinavirus has already spread to many villages around the country.

To date there has been 16 cases of Covid-19 coronavirus confirmed in Nepal and one death. Today the Government has extended the 'lockdown' for at least another two weeks.

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