BaYu Sambaad: Centering children and youth in climate agenda

More than 100 children and young people from across Nepal convened in Kathmandu today for the Balbalika tatha Yuwa (BaYu) Sambaad, a children and youth-led national dialogue on climate action ahead of the international Sagarmatha Sambaad. With nearly half of Nepal’s population under the age of 24, the event underscored a powerful reality: children and youth are on the frontlines of the climate crisis, and they are calling for concerted and urgent climate action.

Jointly organised by the Government of Nepal and United Nations Nepal including UNICEF, FAO and UNDP with a consortium of youth networks, namely Nepalese Youth for Climate Action, Mountain Youth Hub, World Food Forum Nepal, Global Youth Biodiversity Network and Clean Energy Nepal, the event placed children and young people at the centre of the climate conversation. Representatives from the government, civil society, development partners, private sectors, media and climate experts joined the dialogue to listen to, learn from and stand with young people.

“Climate change is not a future concern, it is today’s reality”, said 20-year-old Nischal Bhatt. “We, young people, have the passion and power to bring change," he said, adding," We urge for an enabling environment where we can contribute to a climate just and resilient society”.

Despite contributing the least to climate change, children and youth bear the brunt of its consequences from exposure to extreme heat, heavy rainfall, climate induced disasters, polluted air and water, to increased health risks, poor nutrition and learning disruptions. In Nepal, climate change has been linked to a rise in vector-borne diseases, food insecurity and school closures, all challenges that disproportionately impact children.

“Every child has the right to grow up in a safe and healthy environment. Yet, climate change threatens children’s rights every day,” said Dr Alice Akunga, United Nations Resident Coordinator to Nepal ad interim. “But today’s Sambaad proves that children and young people are not just victims - they are powerful agents of change. Their voices must shape our climate response at every level.”

The BaYu Sambaad featured an exhibition of child- and youth-led climate solutions, video show, expert sessions on climate resilience, and two intergenerational panel discussions. The first explored the impact of climate change on essential services like education, health and water . The second aligned with the themes of the upcoming Sagarmatha Sambaad – scheduled from May 16 to 18 – highlighting the connections between climate change, mountain ecosystems and the future of humanity. The Sambaad also included testimonies of children, adolescent and youths from across the Nepal.

A key outcome of the BaYu Sambaad is a declaration developed by the participating children and youth, outlining their demands, commitments and proposed actions for a more climate-resilient Nepal. This declaration will be submitted to the Sagarmatha Sambaad Secretariat ahead of the Sagarmatha Sambaad, ensuring the perspectives of children and young people directly inform Nepal’s climate policy, including the development of the third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and preparations for COP30.

“Nepal is proud to be a global leader in putting youth and children at the center of our climate commitments,” said minister of Forests and Environment Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, chief guest at the event. “Our second NDC already reflects this, and is among the most inclusive globally in terms of the needs of children and youth, and we are committed to making NDC 3.0 even more so," he said, adding that the BaYu Sambaad is an essential platform to translate  young people’s voices into action – in policy, in practice, and in our path toward a greener, more resilient Nepal.

Chair of the programme Dr Rajendra Prasad Mishra, Secretary of the Ministry of Forests and Environment, praised the initiative led by children and young people and stated that the conclusions from the BaYu Sambaad would guide Nepal’s policies and plans.

Experts to explore social protection's role in reducing poverty, building resilience and investing in human capital

The government is committed to building a more inclusive social protection system that serves the needs of all, especially our children and the future generations.

Inaugurating the conference 'Resilient and Inclusive Social Protection: Investing in Human Capital Development', here today, the deputy prime minister and finance minister Bishnu Paudel reiterated the government's commitment. 

"This conference comes at a crucial time as Nepal is investing in its human capital,” he said at the conference organised jointly by the government, National Planning Commission (NPC), in partnership with UNICEF and the World Bank (WB), 

This is the second international conference on social protection -- organised in Kathmandu today and tomorrow -- that aims to foster critical dialogue on how social protection can be leveraged to reduce poverty, build resilience, and invest in the human capital of future generations.

Nepal is undergoing rapid economic, social, and demographic changes, with approximately 20 per cent of the population still living below the poverty line and significant inequality remaining a concern. Nepal’s Constitution guarantees the right to social security for vulnerable groups, but much of its investment in social protection has focused on the elderly, with limited attention to children and other vulnerable groups.

The vice chair of NPC Prof Dr Shivaraj Adhikari on the occasion, said that the government, through the Sixteenth Periodic Plan, has given high priority to human capital development. "It is necessary to increase investment in children for this purpose," he said, highlighting the fact that human development is both a means and an end in the context of the country's development. He also emphasised that social protection plays a crucial role in building human capital.

Although the government has been increasing investment in social protection, the investment made in social protection has had only a limited impact on reducing poverty, building human capital, and promoting resilience against shocks and risks that may arise at various stages of the human life cycle.

“By investing in the early years, including through universal child grants, we can break intergenerational cycles of poverty that hold back future generations," said Regional Director of UNICEF South Asia Sanjay Wijesekera. 

"Through this conference, we are not only reaffirming our commitment to the children and young people of Nepal, but we are also challenging ourselves to create a world where every child and young person, no matter his or her circumstances, has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to a brighter, more resilient future," he added.

The conference builds on the momentum of the 2019 International Conference on Social Protection, which promoted policy debate on strengthening social protection for children and the expansion of the child grant, establishment of an integrated registry, increased use of the cash plus approach, investment in productive employment and social security for the formal and informal sectors.

This year’s conference provides a platform to reflect on key progress in Nepal since 2019 and for knowledge exchange, learning from best practices, and collaboration towards achieving SDG Target 1.3, which calls for implementing nationally appropriate social protection systems for all.

“In the face of economic challenges, global conflicts and climate change, adaptive social protection systems are more critical than ever,” said World Bank Operations Manager for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka Preeti Arora. 

“Effective social protection can buffer vulnerable populations, including women, youth, and children from crises while enabling them to invest in education, healthcare, and other essential services that enhance human capital and their productivity," she added.

The conference brings together senior representatives from the government, UNICEF, the World Bank, regional and global social protection experts, and key stakeholders from various sectors.

On the occasion, director at the Economic Policy Research Institute (EPRC) Dr Michael Samson delivered the keynote address on ‘Investment in social protection for human capital, inclusion and resilience – Global Perspective.”

गरिबी न्यूनीकरण, उत्थानशीलता निर्माण र मानव पुँजी निर्माणमा लगानी गर्न सामाजिक सुरक्षाको भूमिका

काठमाडौं । सामाजिक सुरक्षा र मानव पुँजी विकासमा सरकार प्रतिबद्ध रहेको उपप्रधानमन्त्री तथा अर्थमन्त्री विष्णु पौडेलले बताएका छन् । 

सरकार, राष्ट्रिय योजना आयोग, संयुक्त राष्ट्र संघीय बाल कोष  (युनिसेफ) र विश्व बैंकको संयुक्त साझेदारीमा विहीबार तथा शुक्रबार सामाजिक सुरक्षा र मानव पुँजी विकास सम्बन्धी दोस्रो अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय सम्मेलन काठमाडौंमा आयोजना भइरहेको ‘उत्थानशील तथा समावेशी सामाजिक संरक्षणः मानव पुँजी निर्माणमा लगानी’ सम्मेलन उद्घाटन गर्दै उनले मुलुकको आजको आवश्यकता र विशेष गरी हाम्रा बालबालिका र भावी पुस्ताको आवश्यकता पूरा गर्न थप समावेशी सामाजिक संरक्षण प्रणाली निर्माण गर्न प्रतिबद्ध रहेको बताएका हुन् ।। 

‘उत्थानशील तथा समावेशी सामाजिक संरक्षणः मानव पुँजी निर्माणमा लगानी’ दुईदिने सम्मेलनले गरिबी न्यूनीकरण गर्न, उत्थानशीलता निर्माण गर्न र भावी पुस्ताको मानव पुँजीमा लगानी गर्न सामाजिक संरक्षणलाई कसरी सदुपयोग गर्न सकिन्छ भन्ने विषयमा समालोचनात्मक संवादलाई प्रोत्साहन गर्ने लक्ष्य राखेको छ । 

नेपालले आफ्नो मानव पुँजी निर्माणमा लगानी बढाउदैँ गरेको महत्वपूर्ण समयमा यो सम्मेलनको आयोजना भएकोमा मन्त्री पौडेलले आयोजकलाई धन्यवाद पनि दिए । 

यतिबेला नेपाल तीव्र आर्थिक, सामाजिक र जनसांख्यिकीय परिवर्तनहरूबाट गुज्रिरहेको छ। लगभग २० प्रतिशत जनसंख्या अझै पनि निरपेक्ष गरिबीको रेखामुनि बाँचिरहेका छन् र उल्लेखनीय रूपमा रहेको आर्थिक-सामाजिक असमानता अझै पनि चिन्ताको विषय रहेको छ।

नेपालको संविधानले जोखिममा रहेका सबै समूहका लागि सामाजिक संरक्षणको हक सुनिश्चित गरेको छ। तर सामाजिक संरक्षण सम्बन्धी अधिकांश लगानी ज्येष्ठ नागरिकहरूमा केन्द्रित रहेको छ।बालबालिका र अन्य जोखिममा परेका समूहहरूलाई सीमित रुपमा मात्र ध्यान दिइएको अवस्था छ। 

उत्त, अवसरमा बोल्दै राष्ट्रिय योजना आयोगका उपाध्यक्ष प्रा डा शिवराज अधिकारीले सरकारले सोर्हौं योजनामार्फत मानव पुँजी निर्माणलाई उच्च प्राथमिकता प्रदान गरेको स्मरण गरे । “यसका लागि बालबालिकामा लगानी बढाउनु आवश्यक रहेको छ,” उनले भने, “देश विकासको सन्दर्भमा मानव विकास साधन र साध्य दुबै हुन्छन् ।” 

यस्तै, उनले सामाजिक संरक्षणले मानव पुँजी निर्माणमा महत्वपूर्ण भुमिका निर्वाह गर्ने विषयलाई पनि जोड दिए । 

सरकारले सामाजिक सुरक्षामा लगानी बढाउदैँ गएको भएतापनि सामाजिक सुरक्षा गरिने लगानीले गरिबी घटाउन, मानव पुँजी निर्माण गर्न र मानव जीवन(चक्रका विभिन्न चरणमा आईपर्न सक्ने झट्का तथा जोखिमहरूबाट उत्थानशीलता प्रवर्द्धन गर्न सीमित प्रभाव मात्र पारेको अवस्था छ।

"प्रारम्भिक वर्षहरूमा लगानी गरेर, जस्तै सर्वब्यापी बाल अनुदान कार्यक्रमहरू मार्फत, हामीले गरिबीको अन्तर पुस्ताको चक्रलाई तोड्न सक्छौं, जसले भविष्यका पुस्तालाई पछाडि धकेलिरहेको छ," दक्षिण एशियाका युनिसेफ क्षेत्रीय निर्देशक सञ्जय विजेसेकराले भने ।

"यस सम्मेलन मार्फत, हामीले नेपालका बालबालिका र युवाहरू प्रतिको हाम्रो प्रतिबद्धतालाई मात्र मात्र जोड दिइरहेका छैनौँ, हामी आफैंलाई चुनौती दिइरहेका छौं कि हरेक बालबालिका र युवाले, चाहे उनीहरूको अवस्था जे भए पनि, अघि बढ्ने र उज्यालो र अझ बढी उत्थानशील भविष्यमा योगदान पुर्याउने अवसर पाउने अवस्था सिर्जना गर्न हामी प्रतिबद्ध रहेको संन्देश दिन चाहन्छौं ।"

यस सम्मेलनले सन् २०१९ को सामाजिक संरक्षणसम्बन्धी पहिलो अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय सम्मेलनले उठाएका मुद्दाहरूलाई अझ अगाडि बढाउनेछ । पहिलो सम्मेलनले बालबालिकाको सामाजिक संरक्षणलाई सुदृढ गर्ने र बाल अनुदानको विस्तार, एकीकृत सामाजिक लगत स्थापना, नगद प्लस दृष्टिकोणको बढ्दो प्रयोग, उत्पादनमूलक क्षेत्रमा लगानी, औपचारिक र अनौपचारिक क्षेत्रका लागि रोजगारी र सामाजिक सुरक्षा जस्ता नीतिगत बहसलाई जोड दिएको थियो।

यो सम्मेलनले सन् २०१९ यता सामाजिक संरक्षणको क्षेत्रमा नेपालले हासिल गरेका प्रमुख उपलब्धिहरू प्रस्तुत गर्न र दिगो विकास लक्ष्यहरु मध्येको लक्ष्य १।३ जसले सबैका लागि राष्ट्रिय रूपमा उपयुक्त सामाजिक सुरक्षा प्रणालीहरू लागू गर्न आह्वान गर्दछ । उक्त लक्ष्य हासिल गर्न ज्ञान आदानप्रदान गर्न, उत्कृष्ट अभ्यासहरूबाट सिक्न र सहकार्य गर्ने प्रभावकारी मञ्च प्रदान पनि गर्ने आयोजकले जनाएका छन् । 

"आर्थिक चुनौतिहरू, विश्वव्यापी द्वन्द्व र जलवायु परिवर्तनको सामना गर्न, अनुकूलनशील सामाजिक संरक्षण प्रणालीहरू पहिलेभन्दा धेरै महत्त्वपूर्ण भएका छन्," माल्दिभ्स, नेपाल र श्रीलंकाका लागि विश्व बैंककी सञ्चालन प्रबन्धक प्रीति अरोराले उक्त अवसरमा भनिन् । 

"प्रभावकारी सामाजिक सुरक्षाले जोखिममा रहेका जनसङ्ख्या, जस्तै महिला, युवा र बालबालिकालाई शिक्षा, स्वास्थ्य सेवा र मानव पुँजी वृद्धि गर्ने र उत्पादनशीलता बढाउने अन्य आवश्यक सेवाहरूमा लगानी गर्न सक्षम बनाएर संकटबाट जोगाउन सक्छ," उनले भनिन् । 

यसैगरि, आर्थिक नीति अनुसन्धान संस्थानका निर्देशक डा माइकल स्यामसनले ‘मानव पुँजी, समावेशीकरण र उत्थानशीलताका लागि सामाजिक संरक्षणमा लगानी – विश्वव्यापी परिवेश’ विषयक सम्मेलनको मुख्य कार्यपत्र प्रस्तुत गरेका थिए । उनले आफनो कार्यपत्रमा सामाजिक सुरक्षाका पहिलो, दोस्रो तथा तेस्रो लहर र ती लहरमा नेपालको अवस्थाका बारेमा प्रकाश पारेका थिए ।

सम्मेलनमा नेपाल सरकार, युनिसेफ, विश्व बैंक, क्षेत्रीय र विश्वव्यापी सामाजिक संरक्षण क्षेत्रका विज्ञहरू र विभिन्न क्षेत्रका प्रमुख सरोकारवालाहरूका वरिष्ठ प्रतिनिधिहरूको  सहभागिता रहेको छ। 

Some 68,000 children affected by earthquake still need urgent assistance : UNICEF

After 100 days of a 6.4 magnitude earthquake in western Nepal (November 3, 2023), UNICEF is calling for continued support for 68,000 children and their families in the affected areas and appealing for $14.7 million in funding to help rebuild the lives of the affected children.  

The earthquake, with its epicentre in Jajarkot District of Karnali Province, killed 154 people and injured 366. Half the dead, 81, were children. The earthquake also damaged homes, schools, health facilities and water supply infrastructure, which disrupted critical services for children.  Around 200,000 people, including 68,000 children, many of whom spent a cold winter in temporary shelters, still need humanitarian assistance to rebuild their lives. 

“Three months on, following a harsh winter, thousands of children affected by the destructive earthquake in western Nepal continue to face daily hardships," UNICEF representative to Nepal Alice Akunga said. 

"They are still dealing with the trauma of losing loved ones. Their development is at risk as they lost their belongings, homes and schools, among others” Akunga said, adding that even as temperatures rise, the needs are still high as children require nutritious food, clean water, education and shelter. "One of the best ways to rebuild children’s lives and restore a sense of normalcy is to get them back to school and learning, so that they can play with their friends, learn and heal.”

Immediately after the earthquake, UNICEF was on the ground with the government and partners to provide children and their families with life-saving supplies such as tarpaulins, blankets, medical tents, recreational and educational kits, and hygiene materials.

The earthquake damaged 898 school buildings (294 fully damaged, 604 partially damaged), impacting education of around 134,000 school-aged children. Out of these, over 17,000 children have gone back to school, thanks to 223 temporary learning centres set up by UNICEF with support of the development partners.

In addition, transitional learning centres, which can withstand extreme weather conditions, are being set up so that children can continue their education until school buildings are fully repaired.

Furthermore, UNICEF, working with local governments and partners, also helped to repair 565 damaged toilets and construct 251 temporary toilets. Support was also provided for the government’s campaign to vaccinate children against deadly diseases such as measles, rubella and typhoid.     

But much more needs to be done to support children and their families. So far only 7 per cent of UNICEF’s $15.7 million appeal has been funded, a large proportion of which includes financing from the UNICEF Global Humanitarian Thematic Fund, the most flexible form of funding allowing for rapid and strategic responses by UNICEF to humanitarian crises, as well as support from UNICEF National Committees.

UNICEF is calling for $14.7 million in additional funding to continue providing life-saving support to children.

"UNICEF thanks all our donors and supporters who have provided the much-needed resources. However, additional efforts are required to help restore lives and give children hope for the future,” added Akunga. “UNICEF is committed to working with the Government of Nepal, partners and donors to help children and young people in desperate need of support. We are calling for investment from donors and partners so that we can continue to provide life-saving supplies and services to help children survive and thrive."

UNICEF and Finland continue their partnership to support the education sector of Nepal

 Finland and UNICEF have signed a partnership agreement for the years 2023-2027. Finland is committing 4.2 million euros (approximately Rs 590 million) to UNICEF’s efforts in Nepal to enhance quality services for children, according to a press note issued by UNICEF.

Finland and UNICEF have been collaborating in the education sector in Nepal since 2019, and the agreed support is a continuation of this partnership.

At a ceremony held in Kathmandu today, the ambassador of Finland to Nepal Riina-Riikka Heikka and  UNICEF representative to Nepal Usha Mishra signed the partnership agreement for the years 2023-2027, on behalf of their respective institutions.

Finland is committing 4.2 million euros for the enhancement of quality services for children in Nepal, the press note reads, adding that Finland and UNICEF have been collaborating in the education sector since 2019 – the agreed support is a continuation of this partnership. “With the signed agreement, the partners reaffirmed their aspiration to strengthen inclusion and quality education for children in Nepal.”

The renewed partnership will focus on strengthening school readiness, foundational learning and inclusive education models, targeting particularly the most vulnerable children. “It also addresses those children who have been particularly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic or other disasters eg floods, in terms of their access to education participation and learning outcomes,” it claims, adding that the partnership also supports the new School Education Sector Plan (SESP) of the government of Nepal, to which both Finland and UNICEF are contributing.

“UNICEF is one of Finland’s long-term partners in Nepal,” Finland’s ambassador Riina-Riikka Heikka said, after signing the agreement. “The good relations are based on mutual understanding, common goals, common commitment and joint efforts to promote sustainable development in Nepal,” she said, adding that education is one of the key pillars of Finland’s Country Programme for Development Cooperation in Nepal. “We need strong partnerships in order to jointly strive for inclusive quality education.”

The strong and strategic partnership with Finland over the previous years has allowed us to continue supporting the Government in their pursuit of expanding access and improving the quality of public education in Nepal, so as to serve the children of the country, especially those left behind,”  UNICEF representative Usha Mishra said, after signing ceremony.

Impact of Covid-19 on poor mental health in children and young people 'tip of the iceberg' : UNICEF

 Children and young people could feel the impact of Covid-19 on their mental health and well-being for many years to come, UNICEF warned in its flagship report today.

According to 'The State of the World’s Children 2021; On My Mind: promoting, protecting and caring for children’s mental health', UNICEF’s most comprehensive look at the mental health of children, adolescents and caregivers in the 21st century, even before Covid-19, children and young people carried the burden of mental health conditions without significant investment in addressing them.

According to the latest available estimates, more than 1 in 7 adolescents aged between 10 and 19 is estimated to live with a diagnosed mental disorder globally. Almost 46,000 adolescents die from suicide each year, among the top five causes of death for their age group. Meanwhile, wide gaps persist between mental health needs and mental health funding. The report finds that about 2 per cent of government health budgets are allocated to mental health spending globally, the report reads.

"It has been a long, long 18 months for all of us – especially children," said UNICEF executive director Henrietta Fore. "With nationwide lockdowns and pandemic-related movement restrictions, children have spent indelible years of their lives away from family, friends, classrooms, play – key elements of childhood itself,” Fore said, adding that the impact is significant, and it is just the tip of the iceberg. "Even before the pandemic, far too many children were burdened under the weight of unaddressed mental health issues."

Too little investment is being made by governments to address these critical needs, and not enough importance is being placed on the relationship between mental health and future life outcomes, Fore added.

Indeed, the pandemic has taken its toll. According to early findings from an international survey of children and adults in 21 countries conducted by UNICEF and Gallup – which is previewed in The State of the World’s Children 2021 – a median of 1 in 5 young people aged 15–24 surveyed said they often feel depressed or have little interest in doing things.

As Covid-19 heads into its third year, the impact on children and young people’s mental health and well-being continues to weigh heavily. According to the latest available data from UNICEF, globally, at least 1 in 7 children has been directly affected by lockdowns, while more than 1.6 billion children have suffered some loss of education. The disruption to routines, education, recreation, as well as concern for family income and health, is leaving many young people feeling afraid, angry, and concerned for their future. For example, an online survey in China in early 2020, cited in The State of the World’s Children, indicated that around a third of respondents reported feeling scared or anxious. Mental- health features as one of the top three concerns of children adolescent according to community respondents in Nepal.

Diagnosed mental disorders, including ADHD, anxiety, autism, bipolar disorder, conduct disorder, depression, eating disorders, intellectual disability, and schizophrenia, can significantly harm children and young people’s health, education, life outcomes, and earning capacity, the report reads.

While the impact on children’s lives is incalculable, a new analysis by the London School of Economics in the report indicates that lost contribution to economies due to mental disorders that lead to disability or death among young people is estimated at nearly $390 billion a year.

The report notes that a mix of genetics, experience and environmental factors from the earliest days, including parenting, schooling, quality of relationships, exposure to violence or abuse, discrimination, poverty, humanitarian crises, and health emergencies such as Covid-19, all shape and effect children’s mental health throughout their lifetime.

In Nepal 20 per cent of suicide ideation calls to psychological helplines are correlated with violence including GBV and 25 per cent with economic deprivation.

While protective factors, such as loving caregivers, safe school environments, and positive peer relationships can help reduce the risk of mental disorders, the report warns that significant barriers, including stigma and lack of funding, are preventing too many children from experiencing positive mental health or accessing the support they need.

The mental health of caregivers is also a critical protective factor for children and adolescents. Supporting parents and caregivers to identify stressors, seek help will enhance their capacity to care for children when they need it the most.

The State of the World’s Children 2021 calls on governments, and public and private sector partners, to commit, communicate and act to promote mental health for all children, adolescents and caregivers, protect those in need of help, and care for the most vulnerable, including: 

    • Urgent investment in gender-sensitive child and adolescent mental health across sectors, not just in health, to support a whole-of-society approach to prevention, promotion and care, to ensure availability and accessibility of basic quality mental health and psychosocial support services for all and specifically for vulnerable children and parents.

    • Integrating and scaling up evidence-based interventions across health, education and social protection and child protection sectors - including parenting programmes that promote responsive, nurturing caregiving and support parent and caregiver mental health; and ensuring schools support mental health through quality services and positive relationships.

    • Breaking the silence surrounding mental illness, through addressing stigma and promoting better understanding of mental health and taking seriously the experiences of children and young people.

    • Carry out studies to determine the needs of the most vulnerable groups with mental health problems and prioritize them in the government’s plans, policies and programs.

"Mental health is a part of physical health - we cannot afford to continue to view it as otherwise,” Fore said, adding that for far too long, in rich and poor countries alike, too little understanding and too little investment in a critical element of maximizing every child’s potential has been seen. "This needs to change."

Repeated school closures due to Covid-19 leading to learning loss and widening inequities in South Asia : UNICEF

 School closures have led to alarming inequities in learning opportunities for children in South Asia, despite significant efforts by governments and partners to expand remote learning, according to UNICEF research conducted in India, the Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

School closures in South Asia due to the Covid-19 pandemic have interrupted the learning of 434 million children. According to UNICEF’s research, a substantial proportion of students and their parents reported that students learnt significantly less compared to pre-pandemic levels. In India, 80 per cent of children aged 14-18 years reported lower levels of learning than when physically at school. Similarly, in Sri Lanka, 69 per cent of parents of primary school children reported that their children were learning 'less' or 'a lot less'. Girls, children from the most disadvantaged households and children with disabilities faced the biggest challenges while learning remotely.

"School closures in South Asia have forced hundreds of millions of children and their teachers to transition to remote learning in a region with low connectivity and device affordability,” UNICEF regional director for South Asia George Laryea-Adjei said, adding that even when a family has access to technology, children are not always able to access it. "As a result, children have suffered enormous setbacks in their learning journey."

Despite significant efforts from governments, low connectivity and access to digital devices have severely hampered efforts to roll out remote learning. In India, 42 per cent of children between 6-13 years reported not using any type of remote learning during school closures. In Pakistan 23 per cent of younger children didn’t have access to any device that could support remote learning. Poor and disadvantaged households have been the worst hit, with many families struggling to afford even a single device.

Even when devices are available, UNICEF’s research indicates that they are often underutilised and that children’s access to them is often limited. For example, in Pakistan, among children with access to devices, only about 24 per cent could use them when they wanted to.

The research found that student-teacher engagement, when regular and reciprocal, is a strong predictor of success in children’s learning, especially for younger students. However, the surveys found that most students had little or no contact with their teachers after schools closed. In Sri Lankan private primary schools, 52 per cent of teachers reported contacting their students five days a week, but this number dropped to only 8 per cent for teachers from public primary schools.

“The safe reopening of schools must be considered an utmost priority for all governments," George Laryea-Adjei said, adding that parallelly, investing in teachers will ensure that teachers and schools can adapt to all situations. "The more teachers are trained, equipped and supported on distance and blended learning, the better they will be able to reach all their students."

“This is a critical investment we need to make for children as the region gears up for future waves of Covid-19," George Laryea-Adjei, said, "We need to build systems which can weather any storm and keep children learning, no matter the circumstances." 

To ensure that children keep learning, UNICEF is calling on:  

• Governments to prioritize the safe reopening of all schools, while also ensuring that children are able to pursue quality learning remotely if necessary 

• Teachers to assess children’s learning levels and ensure catch up is enabled through a 'learning recovery' period 

• Governments to prioritize the vaccination of teachers to support the safe reopening of schools  

• Governments to train and equip teachers to better reach children and adolescents with limited or no access to technology through a combination of modalities including mobile devices, TV, radio, and printed materials 

• Governments and donors to protect and expand investments in education, including critical pre-primary and foundational literacy and numeracy 

• Private sector and civil society organizations to work with governments in improving connectivity and creating high-quality, multilingual remote learning content tailored to students’ needs 

• School administrators and education officials to provide more guidance to teachers to engage with their students and use different types of learning techniques  

• Parents and caregivers to receive adequate support and guidance to continue home-based learning 

School closures in South Asia have compounded a situation which was already precarious. Even before the pandemic, almost 60 per cent of children in South Asia were unable to read and understand a simple text by the time they are 10 years old. In addition, 12.5 million children at the primary level and 16.5 million children at the lower secondary level were out of school, it said.

The rest of Japan-pledged Covid-19 vaccine will arrive in a few days

The remaining doses of AstraZeneca vaccine Japan pledged for Nepal through Covax Facility are expected to arrive in Kathmandu on August 21 and 23, according to a press note issued by the Japanese Embassy in Kathmandu.

The half of approximately 1.6 million doses were already delivered to Nepal on August 7 and 8 and have been used in the current vaccination campaign. The exact amount of vaccine donated from Japan to Nepal will be 1,614,740 doses in total.

Ambassador Kikuta Yutaka stated that the vaccine donation is a symbol of friendship between Japan and Nepal. Japan is a country, which keeps her words and I am pleased all the more that Japan will provide actually more than pledged 1.6 million doses vaccines by the end of August," he is quoted in the press note. "We deeply appreciate the dedication and hard work of all related organizations in international community."

The Embassy of Japan is working together with the government, Covax Facility, a partnership between CEPI, Gavi, UNICEF and WHO; and international community for the mitigation of Covid-19 pandemic as well as for the progress of post-Covid society and economy of Nepal.

The health ministry is administering the vaccines received earlier from Japan to those, who have already received the first doze of AstraZeneca vaccine but were awaiting for the second one. The government had earlier administered the vaccines to elderly people.

Japan-gifted AstraZeneca vaccine arrive

 Nepal today received some 513,420 doses -- the first consignment of the 1.6 million doses -- of AstraZeneca vaccine gifted by Japan through the COVAX facility, an international vaccine-sharing scheme backed by the United Nations (UN).

The Health Ministry confirmed that some 513,420 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine arrived in Nepal today morning. Some more doses -- the second consignment -- are expected to arrive tomorrow, according to the ministry. "The remaining doses of the vaccine will arrive after a week."

Japanese ambassador Kikuta Yutaka attended the hand-over ceremony of the Japanese-made AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) with the state minister of Health and Population Umesh Shrestha, joint secretary of North East Asia Division at the Foreign Ministry Lok Bahadur Thapa, representative of UNICEF Nepal Elke Wisch and WHO representative to Nepal Dr Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav. "The vaccine donation from Japan for Nepal through COVAX facility was announced by minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Motegi Toshimitsu on July 13," according to Japanese Embassy in Kathmandu. "The remaining half of 1.6 million doses pledged by Japan will be shipped to Kathmandu shortly, once the arrangements of the relevant organisations finalised," the Embassy press note reads.

At the hand-over ceremony, ambassador Kikuta stated that this donation is 'From the People of Japan for the Friendship with Nepal'. He also appreciated the cooperation of all the concerned organisations including the government of Nepal and the international organisations such as COVAX, GAVI, WHO and UNICEF. He also mentioned that the Government of Japan strongly supports the vaccination campaign by Deuba administration, which is necessary for the progress of post-COVID Nepali society and its economic recovery. "We hope that this vaccine, together with other generous contributions from international community, will help Nepal to ease down various difficulties caused by the Covid-19," the ambassador added.

Japan has been providing various support for Nepal to tackle with the Covid-19 pandemic with medical equipment for Nepali hospitals to date, the Embassy of Japan will continue working together with Nepal to overcome the pandemic, the press note reads.

The vaccine from Japan arrived in Nepal a day after 230,000 doses of the same type of vaccine were delivered to Nepal by Bhutan. Nepal needs some 1.4 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine immediately to administer second doses to those aged 65 and above, who took their first doses in the second week of March.

The received vaccine will be provided as the second doses to those over 65 years from Monday,” the Health Ministry confirmed.

Nepal started the vaccination drive in January with the 1 million doses of Covishield, the AstraZeneca type vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, which were gifted to Nepal by India. Of the 2 million doses Nepal bought from the Serum Institute, only 1 million doses were shipped. Serum Institute of India is yet to ship the remaining doses.

According to the ministry, Nepal has received some 10,526,270 doses of vaccine from various sources.

Nepal so far has used India-manufactured Covishield, China's Sinopharm manufactured Vero Cell , The US manufactured Johnson & Johnson. "Of the total 5.8 million doses of Vero Cell, Nepal bought some 4 million doses from China whereas 1.8 million doses were provided by the Chinese government under grant assistance," according to the ministry, "On July 12, the US provided some 1,534,850 doses of Janssen through the COVAX facility, whereas COVAX itself had supplied 348,000 doses of Covishield to Nepal on March 7.

As of today, some 4,442,622 people have received their first doses (around 14.8 per cent) and some 2,359,793 people have been fully vaccinated (some 7.86 per cent). The government has unveiled a plan to procure 42 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine by February next year, and inoculate all eligible citizens above 12 years of age before mid-April.

As of Saturday, 4,442,622 people have received their first doses (around 14.8 percent) and 2,359,793 people have been fully vaccinated (7.86 percent).

ADB approves $ 165 million loan to Nepal to procure vaccines against Covid-19

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) today approved a loan of $165 million for Nepal to purchase safe and effective vaccines against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

The project will support the National Deployment and Vaccination Plan in Nepal by procuring an estimated 15.9 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines, which will benefit about 6.8 million Nepalis, according to a press note issued by the ADB today.

|ADB’s support will help Nepal procure much-needed Covid-19 vaccines to protect its citizens from the further spread of this disease,” said ADB president Masatsugu Asakawa. "It is essential that Covid-19 vaccines are quickly purchased and administered to help get the economy back on track by enabling the restoration of livelihoods and economic activities, as well as the resumption of educational and human development pursuits."

The project is financed by ADB’s $9 billion Asia Pacific Vaccine Access Facility launched in December 2020 to offer rapid and equitable vaccine-related support to ADB developing member countries. "Vaccines eligible for financing must meet at least one of the APVAX eligibility criteria: the vaccine has been selected for procurement through the Covid-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) mechanism; the vaccine has been prequalified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) or WHO emergency use listing; or the vaccine has received regular or emergency licensure or authorisation by a Stringent Regulatory Authority," reads the press note.

In addition to this project, ADB’s ongoing technical assistance grants will support the strengthening of the vaccine delivery system, communication, and community engagement to raise awareness on the risks of Covid-19 and the benefits of vaccination. The government is mobilising female community health volunteers to disseminate information among marginalised communities to raise awareness. At least one female health worker or volunteer will support the effort in every vaccination site or outreach center, it adds.

ADB closely collaborates with other partners, like the World Bank, COVAX, WHO, and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in supporting Nepal in its efforts to vaccinate its people as soon as possible, the press note reads, adding that the project will complement the government’s broader response through its $1.2 billion National Relief Programme, which consists of social protection, health care, and economic relief measures. "In May 2020, ADB provided support to the programme through a $250 million concessional loan.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members, 49 from the region.

Amid large scale job and income loss, families await support

 According to recent rapid survey conducted by Sharecast Initiative Nepal with support from UNICEF during the third quarter of May 2021, some 53 per cent had lost jobs, and 40 per cent of them lost both jobs and income in the form of remittances, sales and other activity they used as a source of additional income.

The survey covered approximately 3,000 families with children. Agriculture and tourism, being the biggest employment industries, including people depending on daily wages, are most likely to incur the most significant economic losses. Bagmati and Karnali appear to be most affected. This large-scale job and income loss threaten to deteriorate further the socio-economic well-being of the children and their families, the survey reports, adding that most families may reduce food intake and essential expenses, including nutrition and education for children. "About 99 per cent of the families reported receiving no support to stave off the hardship."

Over the past year, UNICEF’s nationwide bi-monthly survey, Child and Family Tracker, showed that over 60 per cent of households with children experienced economic and livelihood losses in the first two months of initial lockdown. Although most families with children were able to recover economically since then, some 40 per cent of them remained at risk of falling into poverty. "The overall income distribution did not catch up to levels before lockdowns," the survey further reads, adding that over 20 per cent of the families had to reduce the quantity or change their children's variety of food intake. "Children in almost 30 per cent of households had access to distant learning." Yet, most children living in low-income households and belonging to vulnerable and marginalised groups could not take advantage of it.

However, child labour reduced from 31 per cent of households reporting that their children worked before lockdown to 8 per cent during the lockdown, it adds. However, children in over 20 per cent of these households began working after the lockdown ended. This implies that while the lockdown contributed to a significant reduction in child labour, children are most likely to start work to help their families cope with the economic struggles, concluded the survey.

Using the survey’s evidence, UNICEF implemented emergency cash transfer in response to the emerging needs of more than 10,000 children. But UNICEF’s data also implies that many more children are in need in this challenging time. 

Likely, children in families depending on daily wages and those, who lost income and jobs will experience adverse effects of their caregivers’ financial situation on their education, health and psychological wellbeing, according to the survey. Expanding the social protection coverage of children using existing systems and providing additional cash support to prevent shocks on children is crucial now more than ever. "In this regard, UNICEF congratulates the government of Nepal on the recent expansion of the Child Grant Programme and the increase in the SSA benefit size of up to 33 per cent." 

However, there are many more that need support, it adds, "Also, it is important to increase the amount of the transfer to deal with the additional stress caused by the pandemic."

White Paper on cyber safety for children

 Observing the Safer Internet Day 2021, ChildSafeNet and UNICEF Nepal published a white paper on protecting children and young people online today.

The white paper includes a comprehensive assessment on children and young people's internet use, online risks for them and their vulnerability to online abuse and exploitation, claims a press note issued by the UN agency.

The white paper was developed by ChildSafeNet – an organisation working to make the internet safer for children and young people – in collaboration with UNICEF Nepal. The white paper also includes review of the policies, plans, response mechanisms and gaps related to protection of children and young people online. 

Over the past decade, internet use has seen a rapid increase in Nepal. According to Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA), some 80.07 per cent Nepalis have access to internet, whereas only 2.65 per cent people were connected to internet in 2010. As stated in a report of survey, conducted by ChildSafeNet and UNICEF Nepal, one in four children and young people spend more than ten hours online after the Covid-19 outbreak.

“Despite this exponential rise, awareness levels on internet safety still remains very low,” founder and president of ChildSafeNet Anil Raghuvanshi said, “As a result, children and young people, are at an increased risk to online risks such as online sexual abuse and exploitation, cyberbullying, cyber grooming and phishing.”

Raghuvanshi informed that, in order to prepare the white paper, ChildSafeNet conducted a desktop review of over 120 research reports, policy documents, laws and international instruments related to protection of children and young people online. Likewise, inputs and recommendations were collected from six virtual workshops and 21 key informant interviews with child online protection experts and stakeholders.

“The white paper is expected to help in filling the gaps in knowledge on online safety for children and young people in Nepal and make the gravity of the issue more visible,” chief at the Child Protection, UNICEF Nepal, Inah Fatoumata Kaloga said, speaking at the virtual launch of the white paper.

Human rights lawyer and lecturer at Kathmandu Law School Kapil Aryal reviewed the policies and laws related to protection of children and young people in Nepal and contributed as a content writer of the white paper. According to Aryal, the Electronic Transactions Act 2063 is being used in all cases related to cybercrimes, which does not define cybercrimes against children. “Moreover, the Kathmandu District Court remains the only court designated to hear cases filed under this Act.”

Since The Act Relating to Children 2075 prohibits exploitation children from online sexual abuse and exploitation and defines online offences against, Aryal suggested using this Act for the cases related to online offences against children. “Moreover, the Criminal Code 2074 can also be used, which, penalises cybercrimes, online harassment, threatening, insulting and improper behavior.”

“The white paper is an evidence-based tool,” Kaloga said, adding that It is expected to contribute in policy development, programme planning and advocacy to increase engagement of the government, civil society, private sector, parents, teachers and other stakeholders to make the internet safer.

The white paper provides a set of actionable recommendations to the government, civil society organisations, private sector, parents, teachers, children and young people in order to make the digital technologies safer for children and young people.

Nyanti becomes the new UN resident coordinator in Nepal

 Sara Beysolow Nyanti has been appointed as the new United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC) for Nepal. Nyanti presented her credentials to the foreign minister Pradeep Gyawali today as the UN Resident Coordinator to the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. 

“I am truly delighted to start my tenure as the UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal,” she said, adding that it is a crucial time for the UN and the government as it relates to containing the Covid-19 pandemic and ensuring a coordinated response that is not only medical but addresses the socio-economic challenges as well. “I am committed to our joined-up efforts to provide immediate and effective humanitarian support to Nepal in relation to not only the Covid-19 response, but to an overall effective emergency preparedness and response system.”

On behalf of the UN in Nepal, I express my commitment to support the government of Nepal and the stakeholders in pushing the envelope to build back not only better, but greener, and differently, she added.

Nepal’s aspiration of graduation from being a least developed country is one that the UN shares, and our support in this area will remain a priority, Nyanti sid, adding, “With the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the heart of everything we do, I would like to reiterate the UN in Nepal’s focus on internalising the SDGs for stronger engagement with provincial and local governments in order to achieve the global agenda with a focus on gender equality.”

Nyanti brings more than 20 years of experience in development and humanitarian work to the position, which she has acquired from assignments around the world with the United Nations and externally, according to a press note issued by the UN in Nepal. “Within the Organisation, she most recently served as Representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Yemen, where she set up programmes that provided cash assistance to nine million people, after occupying a similar position in the Gambia,” the press note reads, adding that she also held leadership positions across the UN in Jordan, Namibia, Nepal and Nigeria, working in multiple sectors and agencies on key issues such as Ebola response coordination. “

Prior to joining the United Nations, Nyanti worked as her country’s director of the National AIDS Control Programme in the health ministry. She authored the first Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria funding for the Liberia’s national AIDS response and led the development and subsequent legislation of the national AIDS policy, guidelines and law. She holds a master’s degree in public administration and is a globally accredited Partnership Broker.

Nepal makes significant progress in some SDGs indicators

 Nepal has made significant progress in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) indicators including those on child mortality, child nutrition, access to water and sanitation, and birth registration, according to a new survey.

“Approximately one million children in Nepal have at least one functional limitation,” Nepal Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2019 (NMICS 2019) released today by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) finds.

The Nepal MICS provides statistically sound and comparable data to monitor the situation of children and women in Nepal, including the functional limitations status of children. It will help to monitor progress in reaching the goals of international agreements such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to formulate plans and programmes for those that require immediate attention, according to the CBS.

For the first time, the Nepal MICS 2019 included The Washington Group-UNICEF Module on Child Functioning. The module collects information on children aged between two and 17 years old and assesses any functional difficulties, including hearing, vision, communication and comprehension, learning, mobility and emotions. 

“Girls and boys are equally affected, although children living in rural settings and poor families have a slightly higher prevalence of such limitations,” the report reads, adding that the Sudoorpashchim Province has the highest rate (12 per cent) of functional limitations among children aged between two and 17, and the Bagmati Province has the lowest (9.3 per cent).

The findings of the Nepal MICS 2019 will be instrumental in formulating sectoral plans and shaping polices to help achieve national and international commitments. Most of the disaggregated results and the datasets were available to the public before the launch of the final report and are being used by policymakers, planners, researchers, development partners and non-governmental organisations to formulate programmes and strategies.

According to the survey:

• 8 per cent of women aged between 20 and 24 were married before they were 15 years old, and 33 per cent were married before they reached 18 years old. 

• 19 per cent of children aged between 10 to 14 experience severe physical punishment, 78 per cent experience physical aggression, and 82 per cent are exposed to some form of violent discipline.

• The under-five mortality rate, infant mortality rate, and neonatal mortality rate in Nepal have all declined over the past five years. Since the MICS 2014, the under-five mortality rate has declined from 37 to 28 deaths per 1,000 live births, the infant mortality rate dropped from 31 to 25 deaths per 1,000 live births and the neonatal mortality rate declined from 19 to 16 per 1,000 live births.

• 20 per cent of children in school Grades 2 and 3 have foundational reading skills and numeracy skills.

• 3 per cent of children have access to three or more children’s books, whereas only 66 per cent of children have access to two or more types of toys.

• Overall, the completion rate of lower basic education is 82 per cent, upper basic education is 73 per cent, and secondary level education is 27 per cent. The completion rate for girls is slightly higher than boys at all levels. 

• In the past two years, three out of four women gave birth to a child in a health facility. 

• Overall, 32 per cent of children under the age of five are stunted, 12 per cent are wasted and 3 per cent are overweight. One child in four, under the age of five, is underweight for his or her age.

• 95 per cent of the population has access to basic drinking water, but only 24 per cent of households are drinking safe water that is free from contamination such as E. coli and arsenic. Around 79 per cent of households have access to a basic toilet.

• Nationwide, the births of 77 per cent of children, under the age of five, are registered. The Bagmati Province has the lowest level of registrations with 70.8 per cent, whereas the Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces have the highest percentage of births registered. 

The survey was led by the Central Bureau of Statistics with financial and technical support from UNICEF. Children, women and men in 12,800 households were surveyed using various methods in 512 clusters of Nepal, representing all seven provinces disaggregated by urban and rural areas. The fieldwork was conducted from May to November 2019.

ADB affirms commitment to water and sanitation in finance ministers’ meeting

 The Asian Development Bank (ADB) today affirmed its commitment to water and sanitation investments in the 2020 Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) Asia and the Pacific finance ministers’ meeting.

“We know that every dollar invested in water and sanitation results in a four-fold return,” said ADB vice-president for Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development Bambang Susantono. “Together with reduced healthcare costs and greater productivity in the workplace, water and sanitation investments bring long-term returns to individual households and the wider economy. It also helps reduce inequality and empower women.”

Representatives of development agencies and finance ministers from Asia and the Pacific joined the virtual meeting and discussed concrete ways to ensure universal access to water, sanitation, and hygiene. Finance ministers highlighted success stories in the region where governments were able to implement a mix of financing and regulation to ensure people’s access to water and sanitation, which also generates substantial benefits for the economy, public health, and the environment.

Susantono discussed ADB’s $20 billion coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic response package announced on April 13. A multisectoral Water and Health Advisory Team was also established across ADB to expand water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and health interventions to address Covid-19 through these investments. ADB will invest through 2021 more than $3.4 billion in water supply, sanitation, and wastewater treatment.

ADB is also responding with numerous new integrated WASH and health-related technical assistance, loans, and strategic alliances. Aside from being a pandemic response, ADB’s WASH support will also focus on water-related diseases, health, and livelihoods in the long term. The programme will be using an inclusive approach targeting vulnerable groups.

“We remain committed to providing universal access to WASH to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic and build resilience against future pandemics,” he said, adding that these are investments for the future of our people.

The SWA Asia and the Pacific finance ministers’ meeting is one of three regional convenings organised by the SWA partnership. The co-conveners are UNICEF, the World Bank Water Global Practice, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members, 49 from the region.

UNICEF calls for averting a lost generation as Covid-19 threatens to cause irreversible harm to children’s education, nutrition and well-being

 UNICEF warned – in a new report today – of significant and growing consequences for children as the Covid-19 pandemic lurches toward a second year.

Released ahead of World Children’s Day, ‘Averting a Lost Covid Generation’ is the first UNICEF report to comprehensively outline the dire and growing consequences for children as the pandemic drags on. It shows that while symptoms among infected children remain mild, infections are rising and the longer-term impact on the education, nutrition and well-being of an entire generation of children and young people can be life-altering.

“Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic there has been a persistent myth that children are barely affected by the disease,” UNICEF executive director Henrietta Fore said, adding that nothing could be further from the truth. “While childrencan get sick and can spread the disease, this is just the tip of the pandemic iceberg. Disruptions to key services and soaring poverty ratespose the biggest threat to children. The longer the crisis persists, the deeper its impact on children’seducation, health, nutrition and well-being. The future of an entire generation is at risk.”

The report finds that – as of November 3 – in 87 countries with age-disaggregated data, children and adolescents under 20 years of age accounted for 1 in 9 of Covid-19 infections, or 11 per cent of the 25.7 million infections reported by these countries. More reliable, age-disaggregated data on infection, deaths and testing is needed to better understand how the crisis impacts the most vulnerable children and guide the response.

While children can transmit the virus to each other and to older age groups, there is strong evidence that, with basic safety measures in place, the net benefits of keeping schools open outweigh the costs of closing them, the report notes. Schools are not a main driver of community transmission, and children are more likely to get the virus outside of school settings, a press note from the UNICEF reads. “Covid-related disruptions to critical health and social services for children pose the most serious threat to children,” the report reads, adding that around one-third of the countries analysed witnessed a drop of at least 10 per cent in coverage for health services such as routine vaccinations, outpatient care for childhood infectious diseases, and maternal health services. Fear of infection is a prominent reason.

Using new data from UNICEF surveys across 140 countries, the press note reads that there is a 40 per cent decline in the coverage of nutrition services for women and children across 135 countries. “As of October 2020, 265 million children were still missing out on school meals globally. More than 250 million children under 5 could miss the life-protecting benefits of vitamin A supplementation programmes.”

Likewise, 65 countries reported a decrease in home visits by social workers in September 2020, compared to the same time last year.

The report also includes that – as of November 2020 – some 572 million students are affected across 30 country-wide school closures – 33 per cent of the enrolled students worldwide, whereas an estimated 2 million additional child deaths and 200,000 additional stillbirths could occur over a 12-month period with severe interruptions to services and rising malnutrition. “An additional 6 million to 7 million children under the age of 5 will suffer from wasting or acute malnutrition in 2020, a 14 per cent rise that will translate into more than 10,000 additional child deaths per month – mostly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.”

Globally, the number of children living in multidimensional poverty – without access to education, health, housing, nutrition, sanitation or water – is estimated to have soared by 15 per cent, or an additional 150 million children by mid-2020.

Likewis, the UNICEF is calling the governments and partners to ensure all children learn, including by closing the digital divide, guarantee access to nutrition and health services and make vaccines affordable and available to every child, support and protect the mental health of children and young people and bring an end to abuse, gender-based violence and neglect in childhood, increase access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene and address environmental degradation and climate change, reverse the rise in child poverty and ensure an inclusive recovery for all, and  redouble efforts to protect and support children and their families living through conflict, disaster and displacement to counter the crisis.

“This World Children’s Day, we are asking governments, partners and the private sector to listen to children and prioritize their needs,” Fore said, “As we all reimagine the future and look ahead toward a post-pandemic world, children must come first.”

In Nepal, to mark World Children’s Day on November 20 and highlight the issues around children’s and young people’s wellbeing, UNICEF Nepal is hosting a virtual children’s parliamentary session and a virtual festival of visions and voices of young people. In addition, UNICEF Nepal is launching a mental health campaign ‘Ma Chhu Ni’ to help to build an allyship among young people.        

Of particular concern during the Covid-19 pandemic and consequent lockdown is the mental health of children and young people. Beyond their immediate experiences, mental health issues and distress can have a lasting impact on children’s long-term development and the current pandemic has exposed the extent and severity of the global mental health crisis.  

In Nepal, anxiety and depression are the most common functional difficulties reported amongst children aged 5-17 years: 1 in 12 children aged 10-14 years and 1 in 10 aged 15-17 years experience anxiety, and 2 per cent of 10-17 yearolds suffer from depression.

ADB allocates $20 million to help developing members access vaccines for Covid-19

 The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has allocated $20.3 million in technical assistance to help its developing members’ access vaccines for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) and establish systems to enable equitable and efficient vaccine distribution.

The funds will be available for ADB developing members to support vaccine-related health system assessments and the development of country readiness plans to strengthen the capacity to access, introduce, deploy, deliver, and monitor vaccines safely and effectively, according to a press note issued by the multilateral development partner. Funds will help members assess and strengthen vaccine cold chain and logistics, infection control, supply and skills of health workers, risk communications, and real-time data capturing and monitoring. The technical assistance will also support the identification and promotion of innovative cold chain and vaccine tracking technologies.

“Asia and the Pacific has largely done well to limit the spread of Covid-19,” director general of ADB’s Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department Woochong Um said, adding that ensuring access to a safe, effective, and equitable vaccine is the next frontier in the fight against this virus. “With these additional grant resources, ADB can immediately support our developing members to undertake urgent actions, including vaccine system assessments and vaccine deployment strategies, to ensure vaccines are delivered efficiently and fairly.”

ADB expects to implement the technical assistance with its partners UNICEF and the World Health Organisation (WHO), in coordination with COVAX, Gavi, the World Bank, bilateral agencies, among others. The funds comprise $20 million from ADB’s Technical Assistance Special Fund (TASF) and $300,000 from the High-Level Technology Fund financed by the Government of Japan. 

ADB approved a $20 billion expanded assistance package in April to support its developing members’ Covid-19 response.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members; 49 from the region.

Worldwide Measles deaths climb 50 per cent a four years claiming over 207,500 lives last year

 Measles surged worldwide in 2019 reaching highest number of reported cases in 23 years.

Highlighted in a publication by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United States (US) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), measles cases worldwide increased to 869,770 in 2019, the highest number reported since 1996 with increases in all WHO regions, a press note from WHO reads, adding that global measles deaths climbed nearly 50 per cent since 2016, claiming an estimated 207,500 lives in 2019 alone.”

After steady global progress from 2010 to 2016, the number of reported measles cases climbed progressively to 2019, it reads. Comparing 2019 data with the historic low in reported measles cases in 2016, authors cite a failure to vaccinate children on time with two doses of measles-containing vaccines (MCV1 and MCV2) as the main driver of these increases in cases and deaths.

“We know how to prevent measles outbreaks and deaths,” WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, adding that these data send a clear message of failure to protect children from measles in every region of the world. “We must collectively work to support countries and engage communities to reach everyone, everywhere with measles vaccine and stop this deadly virus.”

Measles outbreaks occur when people, who are not protected from the virus are infected and spread the disease to unvaccinated or under-vaccinated populations. To control measles and prevent outbreaks and deaths, vaccination coverage rates with the required MCV1 and MCV2 must reach 95 per cent and be maintained at national and subnational levels. MCV1 coverage has been stagnant globally for more than a decade at between 84 and 85 per cent, and MCV2 coverage has been steadily increasing butis only now at 71 per cent. Vaccination coverage against measles remains well below the 95 per cent or higher needed with both doses to control measles and prevent outbreaks and deaths.

Global response to Covid-19 pandemic must not exacerbate the measles crisis, he added.

Although reported cases of measles are lower in 2020, necessary efforts to control Covid-19 have resulted in disruptions in vaccination and crippled efforts to prevent and minimise measles outbreaks, the press note reads. “As of November, more than 94 million people were at risk of missing vaccines due to paused measles campaigns in 26 countries.”

Many of these countries are experiencing ongoing outbreaks. Of countries with postponed planned 2020 campaigns, only eight – including Brazil, Central African Republic Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Nepal, Nigeria, Philippines and Somalia – resumed their campaigns after initial delays. “Before there was a coronavirus crisis, the world was grappling with a measles crisis, and it has not gone away,” UNICEF executive director Henrietta Fore said, adding that while health systems are strained by the Covid-19 pandemic, everyone must not allow the fight against one deadly disease to come at the expense of the fight against another. “This means ensuring we have the resources to continue immunisation campaigns for all vaccine-preventable diseases, even as we address the growing Covid-19 pandemic.”

Global immunisation partners are engaging leaders and public health professionals in affected and at-risk countries to ensure that measles vaccines are available and safely delivered, and that caregivers understand the life-saving benefit of the vaccine, according to the press note. On November 6, the WHO and UNICEF issued an emergencycalltoactionfor measles and polio outbreak prevention and response.

“Measles virus easily finds unprotected children, adolescents and adults because it is so contagious,” Measles and Rubella Initiative Management Team chair and Accelerated Disease Control Branch chief at US CDC Dr Robert Linkins said, adding that infections are not only a sign of poor measles vaccination coverage, but also a known marker, or ‘tracer,’ that vital health services may not be reaching populations most at-risk. “Our collective efforts to reach children with vaccines now, ahead of the possible easing of Covid-19 travel restrictions and increased population movement, will save lives.”

The Measles and Rubella Initiative (M&RI), which includes American Red Cross, the United Nations Foundation, the US CDC, UNICEF and WHO, and global immunization partners like Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and others, are working to address the current measles crisis and ensure that resources are positioned to address immunization delays – for measles and all vaccines – in every region of the world.

Urgent action needed to address growing mental health issue in Nepal

 On World Mental Health Day, the United Nations in Nepal joins everyone, including the government and development partners, civil society, communities and families, to urgently strengthen actions to mitigate the deteriorating mental health situation among the Nepali population.

As Nepal continues to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, suicides among adolescent girls, already an issue of concern, have increased by almost 40 per cent during the first four months of nationwide lockdown compared to the previous year, according to the Nepal Police. The data suggests that there are other gender related issues aggravating the mental health of adolescent girls. It highlights the urgency required for everyone to act before girls and boys in Nepal turn their helplessness into self-harm, read a press note issued by the UN.

There have been a number of initiatives taken by the Health Ministry and the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens in recent years. The UN also welcomes the recent message from Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who expressed concerns regarding the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on mental health and called for mass awareness on mental health and psychosocial wellbeing for the general public, the press note reads, adding that this urgent call for action comes at time where there are multiple levels of needs, from awareness raising to strategic and rapid investments in specialised and non-specialised mental health care. “According to the July 2020 findings of UNICEF Child and Family Tracker household survey, some 49 per cent of families reported an increase in stress levels since the lockdown, mainly related to concerns about their capacity to support their children.”

At the same time, the mental health of the most vulnerable in the population is especially of concern as they are particularly susceptible to uncertainty, isolation and stress.

The UN stands by the government and all relevant stakeholders as concerted efforts are made to increase the investment in mental health promotion, prevention of disorders, treatment and rehabilitation at the federal, provincial and local levels, so that mental health and psychosocial services become easily available and accessible for all. Building a cohesive, thriving post-Covid 19 Nepal requires all of us, policy makers, development partners, health professionals and families to make stronger commitments and investments into the well-being of our communities, the press note reads. “We must also jointly address the stigma around mental health and seeking mental health services.”

A nationwide survey conducted by the Nepal Health Research Council in 2019 highlighted that 10 per cent of adult participants had a mental illness during their lifetime. These mental health conditions frequently first appear during adolescence but often also go unrecognised and untreated with subsequent effects on adult mental health, social functioning and parenting.

According to a World Health Organisation (WHO) report published in 2017, most children with mental health conditions suffer without any professional help. They impact learning outcomes and the quality of social interactions, all central to healthy societal growth.

Covid-19 could reverse decades of progress toward eliminating preventable child deaths, agencies warn

 The number of global under-five deaths dropped to its lowest point on record in 2019, down to 5.2 million from 12.5 million in 1990, according to new mortality estimates released by UNICEF, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs and the World Bank Group.

Since then, however, surveys by UNICEF and WHO reveal that the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in major disruptions to health services that threaten to undo decades of hard-won progress.

“The global community has come too far towards eliminating preventable child deaths to allow the Covid-19 pandemic to stop us in our tracks,” said UNICEF executive director Henrietta Fore. “When children are denied access to health services because the system is overrun, and when women are afraid to give birth at the hospital for fear of infection, they, too, may become casualties of Covid-19,” Fore said, adding that without urgent investments to re-start disrupted health systems and services, millions of children under five, especially newborns, could die.

Over the past 30 years, health services to prevent or treat causes of child death such as preterm, low birth weight, complications during birth, neonatal sepsis, pneumonia, diarrhea and malaria, as well as vaccination, have played a large role in saving millions of lives.

Recent child mortality estimates generated by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) showed that Nepal has demonstrated remarkable progress in reducing the under-five mortality rate. In 2019, it was estimated at 31 per 1000 live births, or a 78 per cent reduction from the level of 1990. Nepal is one of the few countries meeting the targets of the Millenium Development Goal (MDG) 4.

Now countries worldwide are experiencing disruptions in child and maternal health services, such as health checkups, vaccinations and prenatal and post-natal care, due to resource constraints and a general uneasiness with using health services due to a fear of getting Covid-19.

A UNICEF survey conducted over the summer across 77 countries found that almost 68 per cent of countries reported at least some disruption in health checks for children and immunization services. In addition, 63 per cent of countries reported disruptions in antenatal checkups and 59 per cent in post-natal care.

A recent WHO survey based on responses from 105 countries revealed that 52 per cent of countries reported disruptions in health services for sick children and 51 per cent in services for management of malnutrition.

Similarly, in Nepal, rapid assessment conducted by UNFPA in coordination with Family Welfare Division during the initial phase of the lockdown period reported more than 60 per cent decline in antenatal visits and 35 per cent decrease in institutional delivery as compared to before the lockdown. Routine antenatal care and delivery at health facilities is extremely critical for the survival of both mothers and their newborns, according to the report.

Health interventions such as these are critical for stopping preventable newborn and child deaths. For example, women who receive care by professional midwives trained according to international standards are 16 per cent less likely to lose their baby and 24 per cent less likely to experience pre-term birth, according to WHO.

"The fact that today more children live to see their first birthday than any time in history is a true mark of what can be achieved when the world puts health and well-being at the centre of our response,” WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Now, we must not let the Covid-19 pandemic turn back remarkable progress for our children and future generations,” Ghebreyesus said, adding, ”Rather, it’s time to use what we know works to save lives, and keep investing in stronger, resilient health systems.”

Based on the responses from countries that participated in the UNICEF and WHO surveys, the most commonly cited reasons for health service disruptions included parents avoiding health centres for fear of infection; transport restrictions; suspension or closure of services and facilities; fewer healthcare workers due to diversions or fear of infection due to shortages in personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves; and greater financial difficulties. Afghanistan, Bolivia, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Libya, Madagascar, Pakistan, Sudan and Yemen are among the hardest hit countries. 

Seven of the nine countries had high child mortality rates of more than 50 deaths per 1000 live births among children under five in 2019. 

Even before Covid-19, newborns were at highest risk of death. In 2019, a newborn baby died every 13 seconds. Moreover, 47 per cent of all under-five deaths occurred in the neonatal period, up from 40 per cent in 1990. With severe disruptions in essential health services, newborn babies could be at much higher risk of dying. 

In May, initial modelling by Johns Hopkins University showed that almost 6,000 additional children could die per day due to disruptions due to Covid-19.

These reports and surveys highlight the need for urgent action to restore and improve childbirth services and antenatal and postnatal care for mothers and babies, including having skilled health workers to care for them at birth. Working with parents to assuage their fears and reassure them is also important. 

“The Covid-19 pandemic has put years of global progress to end preventable child deaths in serious jeopardy,” said global director for Health, Nutrition and Population at the World Bank Muhammad Ali Pate. “It is essential to protect life-saving services which have been key to reducing child mortality,” Pate said, adding that they will continue to work with governments and partners to reinforce healthcare systems to ensure mothers and children get the services they need.

“The new report demonstrates the ongoing progress worldwide in reducing child mortality,” said director of the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs John Wilmoth. “While the report highlights the negative effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on interventions that are critical for children’s health, it also draws attention to the need to redress the vast inequities in a child's prospects for survival and good health.”