By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, May 14: In response to Nepal’s request for assistance to battle the second wave of COVID-19 in the country, the European Union (EU) has decided to mobilise an initial amount of Rs. 282 million for humanitarian funding.
According to a press release issued by the EU on Thursday, the funding will support the monitoring of all infected patients isolated in their homes through tele-health services and help in their rapid referral to hospitals if needed.
The aid will also facilitate the deployment of national and international emergency medical teams in Nepal and the procurement of equipment and supplies.
The key equipment and supplies to be procured include oxygen gas cylinders, oxygen concentrators, home care kits, diagnostics like antigen test kits and personal protection equipment.
Furthermore, Nepal has also activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism under which Finland is the first country to offer more than two million surgical facemasks, 350,000 FFP2 masks, 52,500 pairs of vinyl gloves and 30,000 isolation gowns.
Commissioner for EU Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič said, “The COVID-19 surge in Nepal is claiming more lives every minute as it spreads across the country. We stand in full solidarity with Nepal in its fight against the pandemic. We are quickly mobilising emergency support with initial €2 million funding. I am very thankful to Finland for their quick offers of assistance via our Civil Protection Mechanism. We stand ready to provide further assistance.”
As per the press release, the European Union’s 24/7 Emergency Response Coordination Centre is in regular contact with the Nepali authorities to closely monitor the situation and channel the EU assistance.