Earthquake rebuilding and response to COVID-19 in Nepal, a country nestled in multiple crises.

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic has affected the health, social and economic integrity of low and middle income countries (LMICs) in an unprecedented way [1]. Income losses are projected to exceed $220 billion in these countries where 55% of the global population lives. As high as 75% of the population in LMICs simply lack the access to soap and water for minimal hygiene which is now more critical for COVID-19 prevention [2]. In Nepal, 18 752 cases of COVID-19 were reported until 27th July 2020, however, the impacts are far beyond these numbers because of the cumulative impacts due to COVID-19, lock down and the damages due to earthquakes (Figure 1). In 2015, Nepal’s two earthquakes claimed 9000 lives..