NEPAL, the 43rd poorest country in the world according to Global Source 2021, has been hit by a major wave of coronavirus and is in desperate need of protective personal equipment.

Hampshire County Council has agreed to back this urgent request in a mutual aid effort.

Councillor Keith Mans, Leader of HCC agreed to the request made by Rushmoor Borough Council on behalf of Nepali community leaders living in Hampshire.

At the Decision Day Meeting held on July 8, HCC stated they will issue PPE from the warehouse and distribution centre which Hampshire established when local health and care sectors were experiencing a shortfall in stock.

With supplies now stable and a significant drop in demand to access the warehouse, there is a surplus quantity which may not be used by its expiration date in Spring 2022.

Councillor Mans said: “The Gorkha municipality of Nepal has been hit severely and its health system is running at capacity.

“We have strong links with the Gurkha community in the north of the county and recognise the long-standing connection that Rushmoor residents have with this area of Nepal, due to the military links in having Gurkha regiments based in and around Aldershot.

“We are in a position to help, and it is the right thing to do so I have no hesitation in giving the go ahead. I am sure Hampshire residents would agree that it is better to put any surplus to good use, than hold on to stock and risk it becoming obsolete.

“Providing supplies of much-needed face masks, gloves and gowns will make a positive contribution to the urgent aid efforts on the ground in Nepal, where almost a third of the population live in poverty and deprivation.”

HCC will retain a crucial reserve supply of PPE on behalf of the county’s Local Resilience Forum, a multi-agency partnership made up of emergency services, NHS, councils and other bodies who respond to civil emergencies.

Nepal has recorded 9,607 deaths caused by coronavirus since the pandemic began.

The country has a population of 28.6 million.