Source::
President Bidya Devi Bhandari has expressed concern over the condition of Nepalis living in the United States of America in the context of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic there.
The President called the Nepali Embassy in the US to express her concern regarding the condition of Nepalis in America. Nepal's Ambassador to USA, Dr Arjun Kumar Karki, informed that the President called him to collect information on the Nepali community in the USA.
Ambassador Karki, issuing an appeal on March 30, stated that President Bhandari rang up the Embassy to express her concern and urged the Nepali community to stay aware and be safe. The President also extended condolences to families who had lost a member due to COVID-19 and wished a speedy recovery to those affected by it. There are nearly 500 thousand Nepalis living in the USA.
Ambassador Karki stated in the appeal that the US Government has been requested to provide necessary assistance to Nepali citizens and students in the US whose visa term has expired due to the obstruction of travel owing to the existing situation.
The Embassy has also started keeping required records of the situation of Nepalis and the support they needed by discussing issues and organising video conferences, which saw participation by representatives of Non-resident Nepalis Association (NRNA) America as well as of 126 Nepali Associations in 50 states of the USA.
Ambassador Karki stated in the appeal that the Embassy has continued the essential service delivery and made arrangements for four telephone lines providing 24-hour service in case of any problem. Arrangements have also been made for a separate email related to COVID-19. The Embassy has, likewise, urged all Nepalis in the USA to contact the Nepali Embassy in Washington DC and the Consulate General in New York in case of any problem.
A Nepali died of COVID-19 infection in the USA, while some are undergoing treatment at hospitals in the USA. New York City where there is a large presence of Nepalis has become the epicenter of COVID-19 in recent days.
