Surunga, Jhapa, April 8 :  Jhapa-based cooperatives have assisted Rs 15 million to provide relief materials to the poor and indigent families when the country has observing a nationwide lockdown to control the spread of coronavirus for two weeks.    
According to District Cooperatives' Association, Jhapa, the Sahara Nepal Cooperatives Ltd Birtamod only contributed Rs five million for charity. The assistance was provided under social responsibility of cooperatives. The monetary assistance is meant for purchasing daily essentials for indigent families who find it so hard to manage daily meals in this crisis.    
Those cooperatives lending helping hands during this crisis are Nepal Multi-Purpose Cooperatives Mechinagar (Rs 1.7 million), Karnali Cooperatives, Birtamod ( 800 thousand), Simrik Cooperatives, Birtamod ( Rs 800 thousand), Hamro Nepali Savings and Credit Ltd ( Rs 400 thousand), and Mechi Cooperatives (Rs 200 thousand). They donated the amount to the relief fund set up at the State government.    
 Similarly, over two dozen of cooperatives in the district have been cooperating with all 15 local levels in Jhapa to ensure daily consumer goods for the needy ones, according to Association chair Ganesh Dhakal.    
Besides, two large cooperatives in the district have started providing an interest-free loan to their members during the crisis. Each member is