External cooperation is essential to fight the pandemic

Countries can work together by sharing medical expertise and pharmaceutical competencies.

Amid the onslaught of the coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China, the global community today confronts untold human suffering and economic devastation. The World Health Organisation declared the pandemic a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres termed the situation the most serious global crisis since the Second World War and the greatest test being faced by the global community after the birth of the United Nations. The human loss has been disproportionately heavier in the developed world, including the United States and Europe. But in recent days, the number of reported infections and human deaths is rising exponentially in the developing world including South Asia. India has emerged as the third-largest victim, in terms of infections and casualties, after the US and Brazil, with 3.4 million infected cases and over 62,000 deaths. In Nepal, there are 35,523 cases, with 183 lives lost, to date.