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Written question asked by Lord Swinfen (Conservative) on Tuesday, 18 May 2021, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 2 June 2021. It was answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative) on Wednesday, 2 June 2021 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Gurkhas: Coronavirus

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assistance they are giving to serving and retired Ghurkas and their families in Nepal to deal with the COVID-19 crisis.

Answer

We recognise the invaluable contribution Gurkhas make to our armed forces. Gurkhas serve with honour and distinction and are a vital part of our bilateral relationship. The UK-funded Gurkha Welfare Trust has ensured access to life-saving support and supplies to Gurkha veterans and their communities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We are also financing antigen kits for district hospitals across Nepal with distribution being done by the Gurkha Welfare Trust, and two districts have so far received these kits.

More broadly in Nepal, the UK has funded a new £180,000 duplex oxygen generation plant at the Nepal Police Hospital in Kathmandu to help address oxygen shortages to treat COVID19 patients. We are also one of the leading donors to COVAX, committing £548m to the scheme, which will provide more than a billion vaccines to developing countries including doses for almost a fifth of Nepal's population.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL375
Session
2021-22
Subjects
Development aid Disease control Gurkhas Nepal Coronavirus
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk