Nepal becomes first Asia Pacific nation to provide COVID-19 vaccine to refugees

KATHMANDU: Nepal has become the first Asia Pacific nation to provide COVID-19 vaccine to the refugee.

According to a UNHCR report, Nepal is the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to provide a vaccine against corona to refugees under its national vaccination campaign.

Nepal has provided the vaccinations to the refugees during the second national vaccination campaign against the coronavirus pandemic.

During the this campaign launched from March 7, a temporary inoculation center was established each refugee camp on March 24 and around 668 refugees aged 65 years or above were inoculated.

Nepal is vaccinating refugees over the age of 65 as part of its national vaccination rollout.

Asia Pacific includes the countries of East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania.

UNHCR’s Nepal Representative, Caroline Spannuth Verma lauded the inclusion of the refugees during the national vaccination campaign.

“The Government of Nepal has shown exemplary leadership for public health responses by including refugees in the national vaccination plans and rollout,” Verma said appreciating the inclusive vaccination campaign.

(With inputs from UNHCR)