KATHMANDU, Feb 6: The Nepal Battalion (NEPBATT) launched an indispensable “COVID Kit Support” campaign in all municipalities of its area of responsibilities as a part of UNIFIL response and alleviation measures against the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic crisis in Lebanon. 

Commanding Officer of NEPBATT, Lieutenant Colonel Rajib Thapa handed the donations to the mayors of Meiss ej Jebel, Houla, Majdel Slim, Shaqra, Blida, Tallousah, Markaba and Mahibib respectively, on Thursday and Friday. Each donation package included various medical supplies, first aid boxes, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), sanitizers, liquid hand wash, disposable masks, infrared thermometer, and foot-operated sanitizer dispenser in a significant amount. 

The items distributed to each municipality valued around US $4,000 each, according to NEPBATT.

During the handover program, the mayors applauded NEPBATT support as a landmark contribution to the community when they were in a dire need of such donations. They also thanked UNIFIL peacekeepers for helping them in bracing up to contain the spread of COVID-19 using all the possible measures in southern communities.

The support seeks to boost communal capabilities in an environment of looming uncertainty across all walks of Lebanese life because of COVID-19. During the program, the Commanding Officer of NEPBATT reaffirmed the utmost commitment of UNIFIL peacekeepers to work hand in hand with local authorities, in accordance with the C3 framework of Civil-Military relations i.e. Coordination, Cooperation and Collaboration.

The CIMIC program was a continuum of Nepal Army's historic contribution to peace and stability of Lebanon since its participation in peace support operation was pioneered from Lebanon in 1958. Since then, being one of the oldest troop contributors, around 55 thousand Nepali peacekeepers have already participated in UNIFIL and a total of 32 soldiers have paid the ultimate price in the service of peace in south Lebanon.

The Barda Bahadur Battalion, being one of the foundational battalions of Nepal Army, with its 258 prolific years, is currently serving as NEPBATT-LXII in Sector East of Southern Lebanon. This battalion has already paved a remarkable passage of global peace having already served in UNIFIL three times- 1978, 1991, and 1995, in UNOMSIL- 2002 and in MINUSTAH-2008. 

This battalion, which was commanded by the 37th chief of the Army Staff of Nepal Army, General Dharmapal Bar Singh Thapa (Retired) in UNIFIL in 1978, has already been tested in many wars and battles including world wars in the course of its history and yet again it is entrusted with such a rare opportunity to achieve one more milestone in UNIFIL.

 
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