Kathmandu: The US government through the US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) has announced USD 2.75 million in support to meet the immediate needs of Nepali people as Nepal reels under the second wave of Covid-19 infections.
The funding will be earmarked for crucial oxygen generating plants, liquid oxygen storage tanks, and oxygen transportation cylinders.
Nepal is struggling with a second wave of the pandemic with record-high new coronavirus cases being reported in the past few days. Hospitals are reeling under a shortage of medical oxygen and running out of beds. Major hospitals are refusing to admit new patients citing a lack of oxygen.
Since April 2020, INDOPACOM has provided a total of nearly $5.8 million in Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster Assistance, and Civic Aid funding to Nepal, the US Embassy in Kathmandu said.
The assistance has enabled the Embassy’s Department of Defense team to purchase PPE, breathing devices (BiPAPs, CPAPs, oxygen therapy devices), isolation/disaster camp equipment and supplies, telemedicine equipment, Covid-19 testing supplies, hand washing stations, and medical equipment for numerous health clinics across Nepal.
This brings total US government assistance to $50.9 million to date with the help of USAID – US Agency for International Development.
Comment