In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, UMN invites all people of prayer to set aside time daily to ask for God’s help in our work in Nepal. The time suggested for UMN staff is 3.00 pm. For our friends around the world, we ask that you join us either at the equivalent time in your country of 3 pm Nepal time, or whenever you are able. Many have found setting a daily alarm on their phone a useful reminder. 

Thank you for your fellowship in prayer.

• In times like this it is difficult to keep a clear perspective. Today in Nepal it is reported that there are 603 infections with three deaths. However ‘Non Resident Nepalis’ around the world are suffering more – there are almost 13,000 infected and 114 have died. Please pray for families in Nepal whose loved ones are ill or have died so far from home.
   
• We are rightly concerned that there have been three deaths from COVID19 in Nepal. However tragically in childbirth three women die every day  (1,200 per year). Since March of this year the number has been rising rapidly as women avoid hospitals because of fear of infection, and also lack of transport due to the lockdown. Pray for improvement for the entire health system here.
   
• We have asked you to pray for our donor organisations in these trying times. We have received very positive news of a completely new donor for UMN. Misean Cara is an Irish faith-based donor organization established by the Irish Government. This new donor will fund a new three year education project in Bajhang Cluster. It will work through UMN in Thalara Rural Municipality. The project aims to improve ‘education methodology’, ‘parents engagement in their child’s education’ and ‘improving accountability of schools for quality of education’ in public schools. Give praise to God for this provision and pray for Cluster Team Leader Jyoti Prasad Chapai and his team as they oversee this work.
   
• In Nawalparasi some of the local church Sangsangai groups are being helped through our partner ISN to respond with local voluntary action. ISN has worked for years to form Church Disaster Management Committees in different wards of Hupsekot Rural Municipality. ISN is now mobilising those committees to work in coordination with local government to prevent a coronavirus outbreak in Hupsekot.