On Wednesday, 25th March 2020, the Nepal Government, without prior warning, announced an immediate ‘lock-down’ across the country due to the spreading of COVID-19. 

Thousands fled the city to return to the safety of their villages, and since then, the prolonged lockdown has meant an inability of thousands of day laborers to purchase even the most basic of food necessities for their families.  Those who are lower caste or economic status, or are part of vulnerable or marginalized communities are particularly affected.

While I am here, sheltering safe at home in Canada, my very dear friend Anamika Aryal and her family and friends have stepped up to help. I have set up this GoFundMe on her behalf. 

They developed a food parcel program, first distributing parcels from their home, to now working out of a makeshift food bank to better organize distribution and higher volumes of food parcels.

A quote from Anamika: "I had several sleepless nights thinking about these people and then I decided that I would do my best to support the most vulnerable during this pandemic, as the sad reality is that our poor friends are more fearful of dying of hunger and starvation than they are of Covid-19. This puts them at risk of being exposed to the virus while seeking out necessary provisions for their families."

What is needed now is funding to continue purchasing food parcels for distribution to families and single mothers. Depending on the size of hte family parcels contain:

8kg of rice, 1.5 kg lentils, 1ltr oil, 0.6kg beaten rice

For many more, they have secured fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as eggs and baby formula for pregnant women or new mothers.

Each parcel costs approximately $8 Canadian and feeds an average family of 4 for one week.

Administration costs have been zero. All efforts towards making this food distribution initiative have been entirely voluntary.