Dhangadhi—European Union Ambassador to Nepal, Nona Deprez, inaugurated the newly constructed Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), health and protection-based facilities at Gauriphanta and Gaddachauki ground crossing points of Sudurpashchim province today (18/07).

The facilities were built under the auspices of the “Effective case management by strengthening isolation centers and ground crossing points (GCPs) management for rapid response and preparedness against COVID-19” project implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) under the leadership of the Nepal’s Ministry of Health and Population, with financial support from the European Union Humanitarian Aid, and in implementing partnership with Save the Children and local support from the Nepal National Social Welfare Association.

“It is our responsibility to provide basic facilities at the border points for those thousands of Nepalese migrant workers travelling to and from India, who must undergo medical examinations, sometimes having to wait for more than three hours,” said Ambassador Deprez addressing the inauguration event.

“I am pleased that, thanks to the European Union, those facilities such as the waiting room, drinking water, and breastfeeding center have been established as part of the Health Desk at the borders to facilitate a smooth health checkup for migrant workers who are contributing to sustain their households as well as to the country’s economy,” she added.

Though the data on Nepalese migrant population in India is sketchy, thousands of Nepalese migrants travel across the land borders every day for seasonal work and some for extended periods as their livelihood strategy. COVID-19 has added additional conditions for these migrant workers crossing the border. Before these facilities were constructed, there were no sheds at the Health Desks to protect the migrants from rain or sun, no drinking water nor proper toilets.  

“The facilities have been designed to ensure that they are gender-sensitive and disability-friendly, making it accessible for everyone,” said Lorena Lando, IOM Chief of Mission for Nepal.

“Ultimately, we want to contribute to sustainable management and preparedness for migrant flows at each crossing point to promote safe, orderly and dignified migration,” Lando added.

The project aims to support the local and provincial governments of the of targeted six border points, Jamunaha and Krishnanagar of Lumbini, Inaruwa/Birgunj of Madhesh province, and Kakarbhitta of province 1, alongside the two aforementioned locations, in strengthening the overall management at entry points. 

Similarly, health-based facilities, WASH facilities and protection mechanisms to raise awareness about human rights and easy access to immediate basic protection services, are under development at all six targeted locations.

The project is intended to address the gaps identified at ground crossing points of 1,870 kilometers long open border following the second of wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country in mid-2021, including low testing capacity, insufficient screening, recording and reporting of migrant movement and COVID-19 positive cases as well as the lack of protection referral services and access to isolation centers for identified positive cases.    

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For more information, please contact IOM Nepal, Jitendra Bohara, Mob: +977 9802013567 Email:  jbohara@iom.int

About EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid:
The European Union and its Member States are the world's leading donor of humanitarian aid. Relief assistance is an expression of European solidarity with people in need all around the world. It aims to save lives, prevent and alleviate human suffering, and safeguard the integrity and human dignity of populations affected by natural disasters and man-made crises.
Through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department, the European Union helps millions of victims of conflict and disasters every year. With headquarters in Brussels and a global network of field offices, the EU provides assistance to the most vulnerable people on the basis of humanitarian needs.

About The International Organization for Migration (IOM):
IOM is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration and is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. IOM is part of the United Nations system, as a related organization. IOM supports migrants across the world, developing effective responses to the shifting dynamics of migration and, as such, is a key source of advice on migration policy and practice. The organization works in emergency situations, developing the resilience of all people on the move, and particularly those in situations of vulnerability, as well as building capacity within governments to manage all forms and impacts of mobility.