Our Projects

The establishment of Helping Hands and HAEFA Health Clinics in Bhutanese refugee camps in Nepal is a critical step toward addressing the urgent healthcare needs of some of the most vulnerable and underserved populations in the region. Guided by the mission of Helping Hands: Health and Human Services, Nepal—”helping the most vulnerable populations in refugee camps and affected areas access free and quality healthcare”—this initiative aims to provide equitable and comprehensive health services to those who face systemic barriers to care.

Refugees, labor workers, and marginalized communities in Nepal, particularly Bhutanese refugees from Bhutan, continue to experience high levels of unmet healthcare needs, including both physical and mental health conditions. Chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, and malnutrition are prevalent, and these physical health concerns are often interlinked with mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and trauma. Despite this burden, access to quality and consistent care remains limited in refugee camps.

Helping Hands, in collaboration with Health and Education for All (HAEFA), seeks to fill this critical gap by providing high-quality, free healthcare services through community-based clinics. These clinics will be designed to not only offer essential medical treatment but also to serve as platforms for public health education, prevention, and research. By integrating culturally and cognitively appropriate care, the clinics aim to foster trust and ensure that interventions are responsive to the unique needs of the refugee population.

Furthermore, these clinics will advance Helping Hands’ vision that access to healthcare is a fundamental human right. Beyond immediate care delivery, they will contribute to long-term capacity building by offering ongoing training programs for healthcare workers, community health volunteers, and patients. These training efforts will focus on areas such as mental health promotion, hygiene and sanitation, nutrition, family planning, and the management of chronic illnesses.

By aligning clinical services with research, innovation, and community engagement, the Helping Hands and HAEFA Health Clinics will serve as a model for sustainable, rights-based healthcare delivery in humanitarian settings.