PRI and the Central Department of Anthropology, Tribhuvan University, signed a research project entitled – Assessing Psychosocial Impact of COVID-19 and the Resilient Well-being in Nepal

The overall objective of the project is to study the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 and put forward necessary policy reform recommendations for promoting the resilient well-being of the affected population. Specific objectives of the project are, among others, to identify the psychosocial impact of COVID-19, to study the coping strategies employed by the affected population, including access to government health services, to identify social determinants that enhance the disproportionate impact of COVID on a vulnerable section of the population, and to assess conception of well-being and a good life in the Nepali social context.

The research project will combine quantitative and ethnographic/qualitative methods of data collection using a stratified sample survey in selected locations of seven provinces. Based on the review of existing policies concerning the topic of the study and the empirical data generated from the field, policy recommendations will be offered in terms of the delivery or non-delivery of services against the policy goals set by the concerned government agencies.

For the research, an advisory committee is formed consisting of representatives of PRI and the Central Department of Anthropology, TU. Dr. Deepak Kumar Khadka, the Head of Research Department at PRI, will be the focal person for regular communication between PRI and the research team. Dr. Khadka will also serve as a Co-investigator of the research project.

The agreement undersigned by Dr. Mukunda Kattel on behalf of PRI and by Dr. Dambar Chemjong and Dr. Mukta Singh Lama Tamang on behalf of the Central Department of Anthropology, TU was witnessed by PRI Chairperson Dr. Bishnu Raj Upreti and is agreed to be complete within six months from the date of the agreement.