Indian premier Modi offers $10 million for COVID-19 emergency fund

Kathmandu: Indian premier Narendra Modi Sunday offered $10 million for COVID-19 emergency funds for SAARC to combat this lethal disease under close coordination and cooperation among the SAARC country members.

Indian premier committed for the SAARC level emergency fund while leading a SAARC level video conference on Sunday evening to chalk out a strategic plan to fight against the alarming global Coronavirus. It was a much-belated video conference among the SAARC members which was initiated by Indian premier Narendra Modi.

Speaking during the video conference, Nepal’s premier KP Sharma Oli expressed his readiness to work in close coordination and cooperation with SAARC members and Indian PM Modi to combat the COVID-19 in the SAARC region.

All heads of the state barring premier of Pakistan had participated in the SAARC level video conference and all head of the state expressed their sincere commitment to collectively fight against Coronavirus in the region.

The lethal epidemic Coronavirus known as COVID-19 which spread from mainland China has already claimed the lives of over 6,518 people globally with maximum deaths in China only and around 169,724 people (in more than 150 countries) being infected around the world.

COVID-19 has insidiously affected tourism worldwide, including Nepal. Nepal continues to scramble for preventive measures with limited resources.

According to Nepali authorities, six patients suspected of Coronavirus are in isolation wards in hospitals.

According to the latest updates on Coronavirus infection in the SAARC region, there are 100 Coronavirus cases in India, 33 cases in Pakistan, 11 cases in Afganistan, 10 cases in Srilanka, 10 cases in the Maldives, 5 cases in Bangladesh and Bhutan with 1 case of Coronavirus.

Two persons infected with Coronavirus have died in India while there are no reports of the death toll from other SAARC nations including Nepal and Bhutan.