Sharing COVID-19 update and prayer request for Nepal

May 1, 2020

Benjamin Chan and Carole Sydnor

Carole Sydnor and I are sharing the COVID-19 update and prayer request for Nepal

(A) Update of Nepal’s situation

1. “The Government of Nepal announced on May 17 an extension to the nationwide lockdown until 2359 hours on June 2, 2020. Per the lockdown order all residents and visitors throughout Nepal are required to remain in their place of residence.  All movement on the roads, by vehicle and on foot, is currently prohibited with very limited life safety exceptions.  U.S. citizens are advised to shelter in place during this period.” (https://np.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/)
2. The Health Ministry of Nepal confirmed that 25 people have been diagnosed with Covid-19 on Wednesday May 20, and the total number of cases of transmission has climbed to 427 … The virus now has spread to 34 of the 77 districts in the country. The government has anticipated an exponential rise in the Covid-19 cases throughout the country – 1,000 within a week and around 2,000 in 10 days. (https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/25-cases-confirmed-on-wednesday-covid-19-tally-climbs-to-427/; and https://www.msn.com/en-xl/asia/nepal/nepals-covid-19-tally-jumps-to-375-as-18-new-cases-confirmed/ar-BB14gmwk)

(B) Preparation of International Ministries partners

1. The Nepal Baptist Church Council has developed a plan to help the relief of daily wages workers, about 298 households/ 920 members, who are impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
2. TheLamjung District Community Hospitalof the Human Development and Community Services has prepared to treat Covid-19 suspected patients; and to provide counseling during and after pandemic of COVID-19 crisis.
3. The Multipurpose Community Development Service has been actively involved in providing community education and awareness through social media on Facebook, pamphlet distribution and Nepali radio programs, in addition to providing specific needs to families, health and police posts in rural areas.

(C) Prayer request

1. Please pray for Carole Sydnor, former global servant and my current Special Assistant for Nepal Relations as Carole continues to assess the situation of Nepal, and provides assistance to partners.
2. Pray for the Government and the people of Nepal, especially those in the rural areas where there is less medical facility.
3. Pray for the churches as they cope with the COVID-19 situation striving to maintain fellowship of members and serving their neighbors.

Pictures: HDCS provides relief supply to the needed families and the Lamjung District Community Hospital

Carole Sydnor shared that “COVID-19 has changed the world. The country of Nepal has been locked down since March 24^th and at this time, until June 2. However, numbers of cases keep increasing daily with over 600 total confirmed cases at the end of Sunday, May 24. In addition to the information Benjamin Chan communicated about what IM’s partners in Nepal have been doing, here is a bit more.

“The Nepal Baptist Bible College: between March 20-23, all students are sent home with home assignments, such as reading and writing. The faculty discussed online classes and the students’ situations in their hometown. They divided responsibility to contact students about their situation on a regular basis. Online/offline class commenced. Several online tools are being utilizing such as:  zoom, face book Messenger box, Google classroom, email, cell phone, and Google meet etc.  They have distributed 5 25 kg sacks of rice for the needy church’s family nearby the college. We have plan to provide rice for 15 more families.

“Elijah Counselling and Training Center (ECTC) is broadcasting a program on COVID-19 through Grace on two radio stations every morning and evening. On Facebook (EC TC) it posted three ECTC COVID-19 psychological awareness materials in English and Nepali: Your Mental Health in the COVID-19 Crisis; Your Child’s Mental Health in the COVID-19 Crisis; How to Enjoy Life during the COVID-19 Crisis. On each one is posted the names and phone numbers of 4 of the counselors available for counseling.

“It partnered with Afno FM, (HDCS’ radio station) so that Afno FM can broadcast ECTC’s radio awareness program regarding psychological issues during COVID -19 from its three stations across Nepal. It is assumed the number of audiences of the broadcast to be 1 million. Afno FM posted on Facebook the information about its Community Radio programming time of addressing the needs of disability, women’s children and seniors both on radio and online.

Pictures: HDCS provides relief supply to the needed families and the Lamjung District Community Hospital.

Lamjung Community Hospital Isolation room.

Fever Clinic screening at the hospital Entrance

Chaurjahari Mission Hospital

Okhaldhunga Hospital (very rural area)

“In February I purchased a ticket to go to Nepal in October. Qatar airlines will support my changing my ticket. We will see what 2021 will hold for us. In the meantime, email communications with, and prayers continue for IM’s Nepal partners.”