Situation on the ground

As our world continues to grapple with COVID-19,  the people of the Himalaya are experiencing immense uncertainty and vulnerability.

While these communities are tough, they are also fragile. 

NEPAL

• Over 464,000 cases (currently 113,000 active)
• Nepal has only 1,600 intensive care beds
• Queues for hospital and pharmacy, health system struggling
• Incredibly limited health services in rural areas

BHUTAN

• Over 1,290 cases (118 active)
• Borders closed to non-Bhutanese since March 2020
• Effective vaccination roll-out began in March 2021
• Most adults now vaccinated

INDIAN HIMALAYA

• Ladakh: 16,500+ cases (1,500+ active)
• Movement restricted
• Kalimpong District: 3,600+ cases (410+ active) 
• Currently lockdowns in containment zones only

Our AHF family has helped to…

STRENGTHEN HEALTH SERVICES

• Provide full PPE for remote health posts
• Train healthcare workers to prevent/control infection
• Set up a COVID-19 hotline for the community
• Create infection prevention/control guidelines for health service providers

ADAPT EDUCATION

• Broadcast radio lessons and support messages to Solukhumbu (23,000 households)
• Home radio lessons reaching approx 1.2m students in 25 Districts
• Give 120 radios to remote communities for home learning
• Move Tibetan music and culture lessons online in Kalimpong

SUPPORT FAMILIES

• Provide school materials and stationery to kids in Bhutan and Nepal
• Help vulnerable families to keep kids in school
• Sign language video on infection prevention for deaf/hearing impaired students
• Emergency relief to Solukhumbu’s poorest families

Thank you

With you by our side, our team is in frequent contact with every AHF partner. We are working closely with them to extend our solidarity and help as much as possible throughout and beyond this crisis.

• • • Action for Nepal (Nepal, Health projects)
    • Gangjong Doeghar (India, Education projects)
    • Snow Leopard Conservancy Trust, India (India, Environmental projects)
    • REED Nepal (Nepal, Education and Environmental projects)
    • RENEW (Bhutan, Education projects)

How you can help

Many of you have asked what you can do. We are working to make sure the people of the Himalaya are safe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and that our vital programs can continue. Anything you can give will help.

Donate today, it’s as simple as that.

Sarada is a deaf teacher in Nepal who has created a sign language video to outline COVID prevention for deaf/hearing impaired kids.