by Corinne Yank, GoPhil Communications Manager
On March 24th, after the second case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Nepal, the government ordered a mandatory lockdown to prevent the spread of the virus. Despite mounting challenges and uncertainties, the highly-dedicated team at Child Rescue Nepal are continuing to do everything in their power to keep the most essential services running and ensure children in their care are safe, healthy and fully supported.
Five Rescued Children Safely Reunited
“Our greatest desire is that the boys and girls we rescue are able to go back to their family homes and restart their education. However reintegration can only take place after rigorous assessment and coordination with the appropriate authorities.” – CRN Team
With these complexities in mind, we are pleased to report that the CRN team has safely reintegrated five of the eleven boys they have rescued so far this year. CRN worked closely with the families of these five children, educating them on the importance of keeping their children safe and in school. The CRN team will continue to monitor the boys’ progress, checking in regularly with them, their families and local schools. We are so happy that these boys are able to be together with their families during this time of crisis.
Six Rescued Children in Need of Urgent Shelter and Care
Meanwhile, there are six recently-rescued boys that are not able to be safely and responsibly reintegrated at this time and are therefore being cared for at the CRN Transit Home. GoPhil support of the Transit Home is being applied to help ensure these boys are safe, healthy, and supported as they heal, recover from trauma, and learn to live like children again.
This holistic support provided by CRN is more important than ever; without it, the boys would be left without shelter, food, healthcare, and safety.
Urgent Need for CRN Transit Home Funding
We are currently working to fill an URGENT funding gap of USD $2,746 to support the CRN Transit Home. The home needs the support of the GoPhil community now more than ever in order to keep rescued children safe and healthy until they can be responsibly reunited with their families.
If you are able, please consider making a contribution to support the six recently-rescued children in the Transit Home and the CRN team during this uncertain and difficult period of time.
Promoting Healthy Habits & Lives
Over the past few months, before the virus hit Nepal, CRN staff delivered over 1,000 hygiene kits to disadvantaged, local children. The basic but all-important supplies included in the kits, such as soap and toothpaste, were delivered along with hand-washing and hygiene instructions to help keep children healthy and prevent diseases.
Though the kits were originally distributed in effort to prevent water-borne diseases that frequently cause children to miss school, the timing perfectly coincided to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Nepal.
COVID-19 Impact in Nepal
Below is a message from Joanna, CEO at Child Rescue Nepal, about how the global crisis is impacting their work:
Our first priority are the children in our direct care. The outbreak of the virus coincides with the end of the school year, and so there is a natural break anyway. Some children will be able to go back to their families during this period. If it is safe for this to happen, then we will facilitate this. The remaining children will continue to be cared for in our care homes.
For the time being we have regrettably had to halt our rescues. We will review this decision after two months. We already have six recently-rescued children in the transit home who need our immediate support and attention. Temporarily cease anti-trafficking work in schools. With schools being closed, this work is no longer possible. We will review the situation in line with official advice from the Nepal government. I am in regular contact with our Country Director, Jamuna, to monitor the situation of children and staff… Sending all our love to you and your loved ones at this time.
Here is a brief video update from CRN’s Country Director, Jamuna:
We are remaining in close contact with the team at Child Rescue Nepal and we will do our best to keep you updated as the situation evolves. There are sure to be more challenges and changes ahead, and your continued support, solidarity and trust mean so much as we work through these hurdles together.
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