Insights from Morang, Biratnagar, Nepal: January 2021

Climate change and the environment determinants of violence and mental distress in fragile contexts: Ethiopia, Myanmar, and Nepal

This blog is the sixth of a roughly monthly sharing of insights from the experiences of ‘Displacement narrators’ who work with our project team to tell us about major changes and events in the community context. They give voice to community concerns from around Biratnagar Municipality in Nepal, reflecting and reporting on environmental factors, events arising in the community and issues of emotional wellbeing and how these various changes contribute positively and negatively to women’s experience of violence.  Whilst the experiences shared are often harrowing, we hope that those receiving this newsletter will find the contents useful in shaping their project activities and policy thinking. 

Professor Tamsin Bradley, University of Portsmouth

Key issues in the communities 

Markets and transport have returned to operating much as they did prior to the Covid-19 pandemic and schools have reopened and are operating in line with protocols established by the Ministry of Health. However, the number of students has decreased compared to before the pandemic. Unemployment issues continue and following the dissolution of parliament there is political instability and discrimination is also an issue.  The weather this month is cold, and climate change also presents challenges.

Environmental conditions 

The cold weather has created an unemployment problem in Ward No 19, and the community is having to use fires in the mornings and evenings to avoid the cold. Farmers have now completed the irrigation work in the wheat and maize fields.

COVID situation 

The lockdown has been partial, and the general public has been taking fewer precautions. In the markets, some but not all buyers and sellers are being careful.  There have been 64 cases of Covid 19 reported in Province 1 this month, and the scope of PCR testing has been increased. 

Mental health and wellbeing 

People are generally aware of how to avoid covid-19 and through psychological counselling they have been able to maintain a state of mind similar to before the pandemic.  No mental illnesses have been reported in Ward 19 this month, and the health post has continued to run and provide a range of free services related to pregnant women, new-borns, and children.

Gender issues and incidents of violence this month

A total of 35 participants, who are peoples’ representative members of the Biratnagar Metropolitan City, received training on gender equality and social inclusion mainstreaming under the state and local governance support program (LGSP).  After receiving the training, the participants have committed to conduct LGSPs in their respective wards.

There are now further details of the murder of the resident of Morang Mimlagunj rural municipality. The Communist Party of Nepal has taken responsibility for this. A rebel group claimed the murdered teacher was spying against the party and demanded Rs 10,000 from him. They only received Rs 5,000 and this resulted in his murder.

Another case drawn to the attention of one of the narrators, concerned a married woman of 42 years old who is in an inter-caste marriage and has two children. Despite her age, she is expected to wait on her in-laws and serve them food before eating. According to her sister, she was detained, tortured, and kept at home. The narrator could not speak to her, as her phone had apparently been broken by her husband. The narrator reflected that many women become victims of violence and face this situation.

A complaint has also been reported at the District level where legal action by the eldest wife against the husband and the youngest wife on the grounds of polygamy, after the husband brought the youngest wife home while the eldest wife and two sons were there. The youngest wife was placed in the district women’s cell for two days.

In the Dalit (Mushar) community of Ward 19, both women and men consume alcohol and this always leads to general quarreling.

Support received from the government and other agencies 

The 66 people rescued from living on the street last month now have shelter in Biratnagar wards 3 and 10.  The focus now is on providing them with housing and healthcare, and they have some cash deposited in the bank.

The Red Cross has also distributed relief to 40 families in the very poor Rishidev community.