do not have a workplace ID or a school ID, they simple directive that they can receive a vaccination. The acquisition of this letter from a Ward this however, people are still being asked to lockdowns, especially during the second wave. persons and those without documentation to fecting their access to vaccinations. Mental Health: The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown are helpful tools to explain statelessness to those who do not understand or cannot comprehend the experiences of stateless persons. During lockdown, Nepali citizens are facing discomforts and restrictions, which have led to many people developing serious mental health issues that demand professional intervention; stateless people live in a state of perpetual lockdown with very limited (if any) access to equal rights and opportunities. The innumerable restrictions faced by stateless people throughout their lives (which extend past the parameters of the COVID-19 lockdowns) have resulted in mental health issues that have never been addressed, with prominence given to the legal aspect only. There has always existed an immense need to provide mental well-being services alongside legal services to those without of COVID-19 and in the context of lockdowns being lifted and restrictions eased, it is essential to provide referral services to those in need. Further, the continual delay of the proposed amendments to the Citizenship Act has led to increased stress and pressure on individuals with uncertain legal status due to the uncertainty of the incorporation of effective legal remedies into national legislation, which they hope, will increase their chances of acquiring citizenship.16 SOCIO-ECONOMIC RIGHTS Exclusion from Emergency Relief: Following the national lockdown imposed by the government in March 2020, the government made it mandatory for Nepalis to produce citizenship ages, thereby excluding stateless persons from this relief. The impact on stateless persons was drastic and compounded by the adverse psychological impact of being ignored by their own government during a national emergency and global crisis. In response to this exclusion, Nepalese civil society litigation resulted in the Supreme Court of Nepal issuing an interim order to the government to grant relief regardless of citizenship or documentation. The court referred to the “right to live with dignity of every person” and stated that “there is no doubt relief should be provided without discrimination.” Despite this ruling, those without citizenship in Nepal continue to be largely excluded from relief and it is unclear to what extent the order is being adhered to.17 There have been no recent government announcements regarding the distribution of relief packages. STATELESSNESS AND THE RIGHT TO NATIONALITY IN NEPAL The Constitution of Nepal18 and the 2006 Nepal Citizenship Act19 are the relevant laws regarding citizenship. Citizenship can be obtained through birth or naturalisation. Article 10 of the Constitution recognises the right to citizenship as a fundamental right and states that no one “shall be denied the right to acquire citizenship.” Article 11(2) regulates who shall be deemed citizens of Nepal. It includes those “who have their permanent domicile in Nepal” and “whose father or mother was a citizen of Nepal at the birth of such person” as citizens by descent. However, Article whose parents are both citizens are eligible to apply for citizenship by descent after becoming an adult. This limits the ability of women to confer citizenship independently. Secondly, Article 11(5) stipulates that children born in Nepal to Nepali mothers may acquire citizenship by descent if their fathers cannot be traced, but izen, the citizenship of children will change to naturalised. This rule does not apply to children of Nepali fathers, which means their nationality will not change depending on the mother’s nationality. Thirdly, Article 3(1) of the 2006 Citizenship Act provides similar rights as Article 11(2) of the Constitution, however, Article 3(2) and Article 5(2) deem that children born “out of wedlock by a Nepali female to a foreign national” can only acquire citizenship through naturalisation, with extra criteria and a procedure to be followed. On 21 May 2021, an ordinance amending the 2006 Nepal Citizenship Act was passed. The ordinance offers nothing new and simply amends certain provisions in the Act to make it consistent with Article 11(3) and (5) of the Constitution. The passing of the Bill however means that children of Nepali mothers born in Nepal whose fathers cannot be traced can amendment in the Act, this provision was limited to the constitution and the procedures were not laid down. The Act now stipulates that if the child and the mother present a self-declaration stating that the father cannot be traced, they will be able to acquire Nepali citizenship by descent. THE CESF CONSORTIUM PROJECT Following an extensive research phase, this project carried out by CAPN aims to respond to the impacts of COVID-19 on stateless people in Nepal and spread awareness about statelessness among the public. To achieve this, CAPN is creating an audio-visual podcast series to engage in dialogue about how COVID-19 is impacting stateless people, while simultaneously raising awareness about statelessness and spreading accurate information about COVID-19. CAPN has also created a phoneline offering a referral service that provides users with guidance and support on mental wellbeing, as well as legal advice and support. The project is designing several tools to raise awareness, including a programme on Nepal’s national radio FM station and social media accounts to expand outreach across national and global audiences. To boost further advocacy, a research report will be published and shared with relevant stakeholders in a strategic advocacy push for change. The project is implemented by CAPN. Formed in 2015 by individuals severely affected by the discriminatory nationality law, CAPN was established prior to the promulgation of the new Constitution of Nepal in order to give a voice to affected people, facilitate dialogue, and lobby for equal citizenship rights. Over 1800 affected persons currently belong to CAPN, ication of statelessness. Impact 20 families. Following this they carried out similar relief activities for a further 40 people including 2 post-natal cases. In the initial stages of their project, CAPN researched the impact of COVID-19 on stateless communities in Kathmandu, Pokhara and the Terai regions and the adverse effects on mental health as a result of being left out of government relief initiatives, through interviews and surveys. This research helps bridge a gap between Nepali citizens and the stateless regarding issues of equal citizenship laws and also enabled CAPN to identify and address the practical issues faced by stateless people, such as their mental health and legal needs. This in turn, has shaped follow up activities described above. Seven individuals with citizenship issues have reached out to CAPN for support. Due to the pandemic, pursuing legal action is not currently an easy avenue so the CAPN team provided direct support and three of the clients have been referred to the Forum for Women Law and Development for legal advice. As soon as court resumes two of these clients’ written