For the prevention and control of coronavirus outbreak, province and local government of Province Five have implemented various initiatives. Chief Minister (CM) Shankar Pokhrel had a video conference with local government’s chairpersons and Chief District Officer (CDO) of Rukum (east) district, in order to understand the corona virus situation and give suggestions for effective actions. CM Pokhrel has suggested that local government leaders should establish well-equipped quarantine shelters, organize awareness-raising programs and establish “Corona Virus Emergency Relief Fund,” and provide essential supports to the people in need. In addition, he requested local leaders and CDO to send suspected cases to Corona Isolation Hospitals in Butwal, Bhairahawa, Banke (Khajura) and Dang (Beljhundi).
According to Rupandehi District Representative Rima BC, 24 people who were in quarantine shelter of Sammarimai Rural Municipality-7 Betakuiya Madarsha Ummul Momenil Aisha Al Siddhiki Lil Banatil, returned to home quarantine on April 2 after two days. Rural Municipality Health Unit Coordinator Munsi Prasad Majhi has informed that, in coordination with the District Administration Office, the District Police, and the Local government, they have been kept in-home quarantine.
According to the District Representative of Palpa, Yagyamurti Timilshina, elected representatives of Tansen Municipality have donated their meeting allowances to “Corona Virus Control and Prevention Emergency Relief Fund.”
Nishdi Rural Municipality and Purvakhola Rural Municipality has decided to provide promotional allowances to the health workers including 1 Million NPR insurance packages.
According to District Representative of Gulmi Toplal Aryal, local governments have delayed providing emergency reliefs to the daily wage workers and marginalized communities. Civil Society Organization Gulmi, Coordinator Padam Prasad Pandey has said that people in need are suffering from food scarcity because local governments are not acting sensitively and seriously in this critical time. Till this date, only Dhurkot Rural Municipality, Malika Rural Municipality and Reshunga Municipality have distributed essential food items for their people.
According to the District Representative of Kapilbastu Parbati Acharya, local governments have started to distribute relief packages to the marginalized communities. Badganga and Shivaraj Municipality have initiated one door relief distribution system. The data of people in need is collected through ward offices. Shivaraj Municipality has established 3 Million NPR “Corona Virus Emergency Relief Fund.”
INSEC Province Five Office, Nepalgunj