COVID19- PANDEMIC
HEARD NEPAL IS COMMITTED TO COMBAT, CONTAIN AND PREVENT THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND ITS EFFECTS, MOSTLY ON THE MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES.
The Novel Coronavirus was designated a “public health emergency of international concern” on 30 January 2020 by the World Health Organization (WHO). COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, was first reported in Wuhan, China and is now a pandemic affecting over 218 countries and territories around the world. Nepal has been severely affected by it, with an increasing number of confirmed cases and casualties in recent days, even after 8 months of the first case detected in China. As of 26 November 2020. Similar to many other countries, Nepal has massively endured unprecedented COVID pandemic with huge economic loss. To stop the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2, the GoN has taken actions such as stay-at-home and mass quarantines Movement restriction of people appears the most efficient non-clinical intervention to contain the spread of COVID, especially in resource-limited nations such as Nepal. At present, COVID cases are across the country because of inadequate implementation of the strategies and policies required for management of the overwhelming pandemic. However, the GoN is putting constant effort to curb the rapid transmission of SARS-CoV-2 at the community level.
The COVID-19 pandemic is straining public health systems, triggering unprecedented measures by governments around the world. Stress, limited mobility and livelihood disruptions increase women’s and girls’ vulnerability to gender-based violence and exploitation. When health systems redirect resources away from sexual and reproductive health services, women’s access to family planning, antenatal care and other critical services suffer.
The unprecedented consequences of the pandemic and the restrictive measures imposed by most countries have negatively impacted access to life-saving sexual and reproductive health services and prevention and response to gender-based violence in times where women and girls need these services most.
COVID 19 has seriously impacted the lives of people in Nepal. All 7 provinces and 77 districts in the country are now experiencing community transmission with more cases at districts bordering India.
In many communities, especially from marginalized and vulnerable backgrounds, had to decrease their intake of nutritious food and were deprived of access to health services due to loss of jobs and income as well as the scarcity of resources respectively. With the rapidly increasing community transmission observed in the second phase and the continuing risks in the days ahead, vaccination is a dire need in the country.
IMPACT OF COVID-19 ADOLESCENT WELLBEING AND MENTAL HEALTH
BACKGROUND
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the lives of adolescents and young people, worsening their prospects for social and economic advancement. The adverse impacts on education, Health, employment, physical and mental health, and wellbeing of populations are unfolding rapidly and in an unpredictable manner. Urgent action is necessary to mitigate the severe and long-lasting impacts from the pandemic and secure the future of young adults.
KEY ACTIVITIES: -
Community Awareness and Sensitization: -
HEARD Nepal conducted many community awareness and sensitization programs related to impacts of COVID-19 on mental health and psychosocial wellbeing and its management.
“School Mask Campaign” for adolescents to reduce the risk of COVID 19 &” Psychological counselling program for adolescents affected by COVID 19.”
Media Campaign:
Media play an important role in dissemination of information and awareness in the community. Considering the fact, a number of media campaigns were also conducted by HEARD Nepal in 2021.
During the mask campaign in one of the School in Saptari, Nepal
Group Orientation:
Group orientation activities were organized in communities targeting frontline teachers and protection workers, Adolescents, community people, etc. The orientations focused on psychosocial impacts of COVID-19. About more than 5000 individuals benefitted through these orientation activities.
Public Service Announcements (PSA):
To raise mass awareness on psychosocial impacts of COVID-19, stigma and discrimination, and coping mechanisms, several PSAs were developed and broadcasted by HEARD Nepal. These were aired in Nepali, Maithili, Bhojpuri, The PSAs were targeted to a) pregnant and lactating mothers, b) women of reproductive age, c) COVID-19 infected people and their family members, and d) frontline health and protection workers, e) general population. The PSAs were broadcasted through local radio stations in various districts of Province 2 and Province 1.
After technical assistance in the monthly meeting of female community health volunteers at Balan Bihul RM of Saptari.
Learnings
As the country learns to live with COVID-19, HEARD Nepal is helping adolescents, vulnerable communities and returning migrants revive livelihoods, bridge the gap in education for children and help strengthen health systems, in partnership with local and provincial government and other EDPs. Imparting knowledge on preventing spread of COVID-19 and busting myths around the same, has become an integral part of our projects and messaging.
CURRENT NEEDS
- Essential Health Care services
- Food and sanitation materials support to residents of shelter
- Livelihood and Food security support
- Emergency medical supplies and safety materials
- Protection and Gender based Violence
- Infection Prevention Control