This project will provide time-critical help to the most vulnerable people in remote, rural regions of Nepal during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic lockdown by Nepal Government. With limited or no access of food and other essentials, Dalits and marginalized women and children are left without social safety nets. With this funding, ADWAN will be able to reach out and help with food and health and hygiene supplies to these vulnerable community to cope with pandemic lockdown.
The nationwide lock-down affects all people's daily lives in Nepal as all over the world. However, of these people, the daily wage laborers, most of whom are Dalit, along with other poor, rural, marginalized women and girls, make up the most vulnerable groups. According to media reports, the daily wage laborers need immediate food support and prevention kits to survive COVID-19 and some medical stuffs for health workers of the local health posts.
For over 20 years ADWAN's projects have been transforming lives of Dalit and other poor marginalized women and girls through trainings in livelihood skills, civil and women's rights, health and gynecological education and micro-loan finance. The UN reports that the recent shutdown has seen alarmingly increasing rates of violence against women and children during this enforced lockdown. ADWAN's ongoing relationship in these communities will make it easier to build on the trust between them.
Emergency delivery of supplies begins immediately - emergency support packages containing food, sanitary products, masks, gloves and medicines. In addition, information about women's rights and safety will be distributed. Since ADWAN has a long track record working in these communities, relationships with local government are already in place to track those at risk.
