By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Apr. 29: Humanitarian Accountability and Monitoring Initiative (HAMI), the convergence of the civil society organisations, on Tuesday called for an urgent action for fighting COVID-19 and asked the government at all levels to prepare short-term, mid-term and long-term plans to tackle the COVID-19.
Issuing a press statement, HAMI said only immensely ambitious political action by the governments and acting together could help overcome the crisis and this was the time for the governments and the political leaders to take decisive and bold actions.
The release stated that COVID-19 had a direct bearing on the lives of people, their livelihoods and economy, be it big or small, among others.
“We are all being personally affected by the virus. It preys most on the vulnerable and people in poverty and inequality. Girls and women are to suffer the most as they work in informal sectors, where social protection and health insurance are non-existent, and income is not secure.”
In 21 days of lockdown, 86 cases of rape and 72 cases of domestic violence have been reported from various parts of the country. In the condition where home is the only place to stay, the survivors are in even graver danger, HAMI said.
The resulting economic crisis owing to the pandemic is going to be a huge problem. The shrinking economic activities have taken their toll on Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs), small traders, smallholder farmers as they are disconnected with market to sell their products and earn for living because of the prolonged lockdown.
They are worried about their cash flow, paying interest and installment of loans and maintaining supply chain, and production cycles.
The outbreak of virus has hit almost all sectors of Nepali economy, and an estimated prediction shows that the country will have to bear $36.78 million loss with 15,880 job cuts depending on the impact of virus, read the statement.
“Coronavirus exposes and exploits the inequality that defines our society. It exploits inequality between rich and poor. In the already poor and weak health system, the poor people are more likely to be drowned in debts.’’
Inequality for women who are in insecure and poorly paid jobs is alarming. Migrant workers, daily wage earners, families supporting children, Dalits, LGBTI, elderly and persons with disabilities will be more affected by this crisis, it read.
“We all deeply need one another to fight this virus. Pandemic and economic crisis can be solved by unity and cooperation. It is only through solidarity that we can achieve victory against this virus and other crises coming our way.”
Cooperation is urgently needed on economic front too. Given the nature of our economy and of supply chain, we need a clear national plan of action and we need it implemented fast and transparently, HAMI asked.
To tackle the COVID-19 impact, HAMI urged the government to provide cash grants to those who are in dire need and provide bailout packages for businesses with due priority to support the small and medium entrepreneurs and businesses who have the least ability to cope with the crisis.
It also demanded economic stimulus package that includes social assistance for the people who have lost their jobs and income as a result of the crisis.
The civil society organisations also demanded strengthening public service delivery system and enhancing public services to ensure accountability and transparency.
Similarly, HAMI asked to ensure market for the local products, rebuild the foundation of our economy shifting irreversibly towards a sustainable, more equal and human economy where the government works for all, take actions at all levels to tackle sexual abuse and gender-based violence.