Covid-19 in the Himalaya
Situation on the ground
As our world continues to grapple with COVID-19, the people of the Himalaya are experiencing immense uncertainty and vulnerability.
While these communities are tough, they are also fragile.
Nepal
Over 464,000 cases (currently 113,000 active)
Nepal has only 1,600 intensive care beds
Queues for hospital and pharmacy, health system struggling
Incredibly limited health services in rural areas
Strengthen health services
Provide full PPE for remote health posts
Train healthcare workers to prevent/control infection
Set up a COVID-19 hotline for the community
Create infection prevention/control guidelines for health service providers
Bhutan
Over 1,290 cases (118 active)
Borders closed to non-Bhutanese since March 2020
Effective vaccination roll-out began in March 2021
Most adults now vaccinated
Adapt education
Broadcast radio lessons and support messages to Solukhumbu (23,000 households)
Home radio lessons reaching approx 1.2m students in 25 Districts
Give 120 radios to remote communities for home learning
Move Tibetan music and culture lessons online in Kalimpong
Indian Himalaya
Ladakh: 16,500+ cases (1,500+ active)
Movement restricted
Kalimpong District: 3,600+ cases (410+ active)
Currently lockdowns in containment zones only
Support families
Provide school materials and stationery to kids in Bhutan and Nepal
Help vulnerable families to keep kids in school
Sign language video on infection prevention for deaf/hearing impaired students
Emergency relief to Solukhumbu’s poorest families
Thank you
With you by our side, our team is in frequent contact with every AHF partner. We are working closely with them to extend our solidarity and help as much as possible throughout and beyond this crisis.
Action for Nepal (Nepal, Health projects)
Gangjong Doeghar (India, Education projects)
Snow Leopard Conservancy Trust, India (India, Environmental projects)
REED Nepal (Nepal, Education and Environmental projects)
RENEW (Bhutan, Education projects)
Published September 2020.
