Stories

COVID-19 response in Rukum district

16 Jul 2020

To address nutritional needs during the Global pandemic caused by COVID-19, WOREC distributed food items to 185 pregnant women and lactating mother including conflict affected women in Rukum. 109 women from Bafikot rural municipality and 76 women from Triveni Rural municipality have received the relief during a distribution program in coordination with rural municipality offices.

The story below illustrates the need for support in the district:

Story A

“My father wanted a son and I, again a daughter was born as 7th child. His anger vented out on his daughters and wife. We grew up witnessing and surviving experiences of violence. My mother decided to live separate from my father. To make things easier, she got me married at 16. My father-in-law went missing during the conflict which added economic responsibilities to my husband, we both left studies and he went to India as laborer to earn. I studied till 9th grade and my husband studied upto 12th.  My mother-in-law developed chronic problem of mental stress and uterus prolapse. I have taken her to counseling and health center of WOREC in our village, she has been undergoing sessions of continued counselling and ring pesary. With lockdown, my husband cannot earn anymore and we do not have enough food at home and I am pregnant. I heard about WOREC’S relief from our ward office and made sure that they have listed my name. We received rice, salt, lentil, oil, gram, soaps. Now, we can eat for at least a month.”

Story B

“Due to my parent’s very weak economic situation I never went to school and got self-initiated married at the age of 14 with a boy of my own village in Khara. I am pregnant with my 5th child, I have four daughters. My husband family is also economically needy thus I received livelihood support from WOREC and we grow vegetables. Earlier, we used to consume some and sell some vegetables in Jhulneta but with lockdown, we have not been able to do so. I also used to work as labor in field work and earn some money but since I have passed first trimester, I stopped working since few weeks. Due to this, it was very difficult for me to manage food for myself and my family for daily survival. I tried to buy things on credit, but no shops around would give. I am so thankful to WOREC for understanding the situation of women like us and provide food relief. “

Thank you AEIN - Aide à l'Enfance de l'Inde et du Népal for supporting the people in need during the pandemic.