NMA distributes essentials to 200 leprosy-affected people

Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) has distributed warm clothes and health essentials to 200 leprosy-affected people sheltered at Khokana Leprosy Camp.

The distribution is carried out under the project, Humanitarian Support Program for COVID-19 Affected Mountaineers and Leprosy Affected People, initiated by NMA with the funding support from the Nippon Foundation (TNF) of Japan.

In a program organized at the premises of the Khokana Arogya Aashram on Thursday, the chairperson of the Dakshinkali Municipality Ward No. 2 Ramchandra Kshetry, president of NMA Santa Bir Lama, and Administrative Officer of Nepal Leprosy Relief Association Jeet Bahadur Hamal handed over warm clothes and health essentials to them, the NMA said in a press release.

NMA General Secretary Kul Bahadur Gurung, Secretary Tikaram Gurung, Treasurer Sudarshan Neupane, Secretariat member trio Dipendra Pandey, Singi Lama, and Shiva Bahadur Sapkota, Central Executive Board Members Sanjeev Gurung, Pasang Bhote, Sarki Tamang and Chief Executive Officer of NMA Kul Prasad Rai also accompanied the distribution program.

Every person sheltered at the camp received a Jacket, a double-sized blanket, a bottle of 236ml hand sanitizer, a pair of Dettol soap, and a packet of masks containing 50 pieces. The camp is currently serving 200 leprosy-affected people coming from across the country. The recipients expressed their gratitude towards the NMA and TNF for their help.

‘‘This is not the first time the Nippon foundation helped us. I still remember receiving great help from the foundation. We are very much thankful toward the Foundation and NMA for doing all this for us,’’ Uma Prasad Tiwari, a leprosy-affected person at the camp said, ‘‘We have nothing to give you back but I want to thank the president and members of the foundation. Also, would like to thank the NMA family for thinking about us.’’

NMA President Mr. Lama traced the history of TNF helping the leprosy-affected people of Nepal. A senior director of the Foundation Mr. Seko Masato had also addressed the event. He wished that the help would be important for their daily lives.

Programme Director of the foundation Mr. Makoto Wada and Programme Officer Remi Masuda had also joined the program through zoom.

NMA is also distributing relief (food) packages to three thousand (3000) Mountaineers next month under the project.