Madeleine Raine
The UK failed to provide financial aid to Nepal despite vaccine shortages and a rise in Covid cases.
Only one percent of Nepal’s population (30 million) are vaccinated against the virus despite the Delta variant sweeping across the country.
Nepalis Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli, pleaded to the British Government on June 4, but without prevail.
“No one looked at us when we were in crisis.”
Who are Nepal’s Gurkha soldiers?
At least 63 retired Gurkha soldiers who served alongside Britain in the Iraq War and the Falkland Islands War have died from Covid-19.
The British Army annually selects Gurkha soldiers, who live in remote Himalayan towns, to fight alongside the British Army.
While 43,000 Gurkhas died serving the British Army across both World Wars, limited support is available.
80-year-old retired Gurkha soldier, Ram Bahadur Ghale, died from Covid on May 15 after failing to receive the vaccine.
“The British government did not take good care of my father,” said Mr Ghale’s son.
“No one looked at us when we were in crisis.”
Joanna Lumley helps Nepal
Until 2009, retired Gurkha soldiers could not retire in the United Kingdom despite serving alongside the British Army.
While Joanna Lumley overturned this ruling, these retired soldiers do not receive equal pensions to that of their British counterparts.
“Fairweather friends are the worst: those who are your best mates when times are tough and you desperately need their support, but when the tables are turned, and they beg for help, we pretend we can’t hear,” said Joanna Lumley.
Charitable Support in Nepal
NGOs provide financial aid and healthcare to struggling Nepalis.
The Gurkha Welfare Trust provides free healthcare to 20,000 people living in Nepal.
3,000 Gurkha soldiers have received their full vaccine, yet over 20,000 retired Gurkha soldiers are still waiting for their first dose.
Many retired soldiers live in the Himalayan villages where deaths are not officially recorded.
Featured image courtesy of Cristian Grecu on Unsplash. I have not altered this image. Image license is available here.
Madeleine Raine
Mads is a 23-year-old History graduate from Newcastle University. She is passionate about current affairs and British news, with a keen interest in investigative features. Aside from this, she is an avid reader, photographer, and yogi.