CSOs response on COVID-19 in Nepal

 1.  CSOs engaged for immediate response, support for food, transportation, medical equipment and volunteer mobilization across the country

 

2. Formed a Joint High level Monitoring Mechanism (Members from National Human Rights Commission, NGO Federation of Nepal, Nepal Bar Association and Federation of Nepali Journalists) in districts, provinces and center level  

 

3.  Collected cash and kinds to support local authorities and national relief fund under prime-minister

 

4.  Distributing relief martials across the country

 

5.   Established response, support and information center in 77 districts, 7 provinces and center level in office of NGO Federation of Nepal

 

6.   Social Welfare Council (SWC) started coordination role for CSOs and developed fast-track project approval of CSOs for COVID-response

 

7.  Organized public health awareness programmes

 

8.  Government issued volunteer mobilization policy and applying by CSOs

 

9.   Lobby and advocacy for effective response by government  

 

10.  Government agreed to form a high level CSOs mobilization committee

 

11.   Started to organize in-depth research and fact findings about impact, response and recovery of COVID-19 on socio-economic, political and SDGs. Research is coordinating by NFN and included high level experts, academicians, think-tanks  and CSOs leaders

 

 

Details Response Calendar : 

 

 

19: March : Initially, NFN developed and disseminated a poster for public awareness on COVID-19. On March 19, NFN made a call for action mainly encouraging everyone for social distancing, sanitation, arranging work from home, following only the authentic news and information, etc

 

 

24th March : NGO Federation of Nepal (NFN) has taken a number of initiatives in prevention of coronavirus (COVID-19) and mitigate its effect in society, economy and public health. After the government declared nationwide lockdown on 24 March, NFN has arranged 'work from home' for its team.

 

 

 

27th March : As a leading civil society organization in Nepal, on March 27, NFN issued a statement in which NFN called upon the government and everyone concerned to make the food and other basic goods and services available, control black marketing and hoarding of essential goods, protect the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable people, mange well the quarantine and isolation centers, maintain transparency and accountability in all the actions against COVID-19, and come together in providing relief and necessary support to the needy people .

 

 

 

29th March NFN made an appeal, on 29 March, for solidarity and support to cope with the coronavirus (COVID 19) pandemic in Nepal. In this, NFN has appealed to continue delivering emergency health services and sale/distribution of medicines, to make food and other essentials available in reasonable price, to come up with a relief package, to make adequate provisioning of identification, testing, isolation, and treatment measures including provisioning of all essential health equipment and supplies, to open more test and treatment facilities, and to mobilize the resources transparently. NFN also expressed partnership and solidarity in the fight against COVID-19.

 

 

 

3rd April :  Organized a joint meeting with Association of International NGOs (AIN) :  In the meantime, NFN is in regular contact, coordination and sharing with the stakeholders. NFN and AIN held an online meeting on 3 April to share ideas, issues and approaches to respond against coronavirus pandemic.

 

 

7th April  : Organized “A People's dialogue against the pandemic Corona Virus (COVID 19)” on 7th April 2020. The main objective of dialogue was to discuss the details on the possible roles of CSO in working together with the government in responding to COVID 19 and its possible threats on human, health, economic and environmental challenges and promote equitable, dignified and accountable partnerships. A total of 69 participants representing from various Federations, associations, alliance, networks, I/NGO's and other CSOs participated. Hon. Mr. Min Bahadur Shahi, Member of National Planning Commission was also participated and shared his views in this dialogue.

 

 

 

9th April : Civil society organizations (CSOs) and National Planning Commission (NPC) held a webinar/virtual meeting on 9th April 2020. The discussion  conducted  to develop better partnership  in between CSOs and government to respond to COVID-19, where high level government representative  Hon. Dr. Pushpa Raj Kandel, Vice Chairperson, National Planning Commission  and Hon. Mr Min Bahadur Shahi, Member, National Planning Commission participated along with recognized CSOs leaders of Nepal. 

 

 

 

9th April : Issued Joint Press Statement : Along with 19 other civil society networks and federations, NFN issued a press statement on 9th April. The press statement has appealed, among others, for management of quarantine and isolation centers as per the established standards, provisioning of essential health supplies and PPE, relief package for pregnant and women in their maternity, senior citizens, children, poor, landless and wage laborers, control of false messages, and adhere to the fundamental rights of citizens. 

 

 

 

9th April: Government Nepal prepared volunteer guideline to mobilize volunteer by CSOs for immediate response. NFN shared to the members and networks to apply d the guideline during volunteer mobilization for COVID-19  

 

 

 

10th April: Interactions with the government agencies have also been continued. An online meeting was held with the Minister of Women, Children and Senior Citizens Hon. Parbat Gurung in participation of dozens of civil society leaders and development expert of Social Welfare Council Mr Bishal Kumar Bhandari : Meeting decided the some immediate actions to Engagement of CSO's to support the government during COVID 19 pandemic in Nepal.

 

 

 

10th April: Formed a high level monitoring team across the country led by National Human Rights  Commission  (NHRC) a Nepal’s constitutional human rights watchdog, NGO Federation of Nepal (an umbrella of 6500 NGOs and confederation of 40 thematic federations), Nepal Bar Association and Federation of Nepali Journalists.

 

 

 

12th April: NFN Board Meeting and decided actions for response for COVID-19: The board meeting of NGO Federation of Nepal (NFN) held a webinar/virtual meeting on 12th, April 2020 to review on the present status, efforts and response against the pandemic of COVID 19 in Nepal. 29 NFN board members and 6 NFN secretariat took part in the webinar and shard their views and present situation at federal, province, district and Municipalities/Rural Municipalities level.

 

 

 

19 April : Appeal to CSOs, NGOs and others  for solidarity and support. To fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the member organizations have been supporting the government through a range of actions that include relief distribution, information collection, coordination, providing building and space for quarantine center, etc. CSOs, NGOs, development activists and the people in general have been urged to support through an appeal to CSOs, NGOs and others on 19 April. 

For details : http://ngofederation.org/node/560