KATHMANDU, Feb 24: Policymakers, experts, academics, and think tanks from South Asia came together at the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Secretariat in Kathmandu on Friday to discuss protecting children and families from the extensive precarity brought on by climate disasters, economic shocks and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

WASHINGTON, DC – The global economy was ripe for a recession even before the coronavirus pandemic struck. Many commentators have been warning that stock markets were overheated, that advanced economies were heading for a slowdown, and that US President Donald Trump’s protectionist policies had disrupted supply chains and ushered in an era of heightened uncertainty. Now, the stock market has finally crashed, and a recession has become almost inevitable.

The coronavirus pandemic is affecting economy of all the countries. Big economies like China and the US have suffered badly already. Nepal will be no exception. Thus  the major focus of the country, apart from concentrating efforts on preparedness, prevention and cure (when the outbreak starts), should be on how to keep our economy from failing in these times of crisis. The government needs to take every possible measure to ensure that businesses do not suffer irreparable damage, people do not have to go hungry due to lack of basic supplies and the development works do not suffer a major setback. The time to focus on these aspects is now, for though we have been lucky enough so far we might not remain unaffected in the days to come.