Insights from Morang, Biratnagar, Nepal: February 2021

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

This blog is No.7 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 among communities

Parliament was dissolved this month with members from both parties organising various rallies, dialogues, interaction programs in the Morang district. Huge numbers of civilians were involved in the rallies and mass demonstrations for and against this act. There were a series of strikes and rallies across the country. Since Morang is the capital of Province 1, these events affected the lives of the people in the Metropolitan.

Schools have also reopened with physical classes, exams, and other regular extracurricular activities all happening and students and teachers actively engaged. The border between Jogbeni in India and Biratnagar is officially closed but many people are crossing to get goods like sugar and clothes that are much cheaper in Jogbeni.

Environmental conditions 

The climate is changing rapidly from cold to hot and the district is getting dryer. Many women are getting back to their jobs. Farmers are getting ready for the harvest and also preparing for the new cultivation work after the monsoon starts.

Students are also helping traffic officers to try and prevent traffic jams and overcrowding, and with a campaign to stop people using their horns or else they will face a fine, so there is an attempt to control noise pollution though it is not being greatly adhered to!

COVID situation 

Civilians, whilst they fear Covid, are being carefree with few wearing face masks, washing hands regularly, using sanitiser, or maintaining social distance. 

Many people, including business owners, are back at work and seem to have forgotten about the ongoing Covid pandemic. According to the federal government, a total of 35,576 corona vaccinations were reported in Province 1 and people above the age of 65 are being vaccinated. 

Mental health and wellbeing 

People are scared about using Covid vaccines and many are hesitant and confused about whether to get vaccines or not. The local authorities are having to adopt awareness-raising strategies.

Gender issues and incidents of violence this month

Narrators were aware of two cases of gender-based violence reported this month. One involved a 60-year-old man who is a former insurance agent, who also sold properties to many people. He attempted to rape his client’s daughter and was also accused of beating her. Further investigation on this case is still going on. 

The second case was the attempted rape of a child at Rajbansi junction. The details of the case are not fully known but the police authorities and local wards are working to find out the details and proceed with the prosecution process.

Support received from government and other agencies 

An interaction program on social justice and human rights took place in Province 1 attended by the Honourable member of National Human Right Commission, Mr. Mihir Thakur and numerous Civil Society organizations participated.  Mr Thakur focused on the importance of justice and the core value of human rights.

Issues raised included:

• reparation for conflict survivors was raised focusing on the needs of families who had family members missing for more than 14 years
• questions about a recent rule which states that women below 40 years of age are allowed to work in a foreign country only if they manage to get the signature of their family member. 
• many private hospitals didn’t provide any kind of treatment for Covid affected patients (during the Covid 1st wave) and as a result of this people lost their lives.

Questions raised at the community level

Concerns continue to be reported relating to use of alcohol and alcoholism that affects the regions Dalit caste, and which leads to many cases of fighting and conflict.