Displacement Narrators reporting from Nepal: October 2020

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

Professor Tamsin Bradley, University of Portsmouth

Key issues among communities

This month the Covid-19 constraints have become more relaxed with people moving freely as they build-up to the commencement of Dashain the biggest festival in Nepal. In the past, people would cross to India for shopping as well as going to the Biratnagar bazar, but now its only possible to go to the local bazar as the Indo-Nepal border remains closed. Products are selling at high prices due to the Dashain festival; food items are expensive, and inflation is high. There is reliance on Nepali products and using Nepali money in local markets, but old stock of goods from India are particularly subject to price hikes.

The situation is especially difficult for migrant workers who had been dependent on wages and have returned as from elsewhere. They have reduced income and are forced to buy basic essentials at high prices.

This month a number of factories and companies are open and people are happy to be able to re-join / restart their work. Local level transport is also available in every part of Biratnagar district. As it is festival time people have been operating their businesses, even at a small level, to generate some income.

Environmental conditions

The weather is good as this is now autumn time and the rainy season has stopped. Over the last few months, the environment has been good but now it is becoming polluted.

COVID situation

In the initial months of the lockdown the metropolitan did some testing for Covid-19 at the Ward level, but this has now stopped and Morang district of Biratnagar metropolitan has not been able to do PCR testing due to lack of capacity. People are not following the Covid-19 health safety guidance this month and are failing to apply social distancing, increasing the chances that the infection rate will grow. People are seen to be using masks though while doing their work.

In ‘province 1’ altogether there were 452 new positive cases of COVID and in Morang district 242 new cases were found.

Mental health and wellbeing

Due to the Dashain festival this month people have good energy and are spending time with family. Markets are open and there is access to local transportation. This helps people go and search for jobs, and also increases their mobility for getting to work and if any emergency rises. Those who have been reliant on public transport had suffered a lot when it was not available.

Increased mobility in Morang district with all areas now open, has also led to an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases. There is a fear of going to work but working from home is not an option for the many people who work in the informal sector, or in technical and service provision jobs. Few people are tested for Covid-19 before re-joining their jobs.

The following case highlights the additional challenges that can be faced by someone suffering mental health problems during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kancha Magar is a 41 year old man suffering mental health problems. His family’s financial situation is not good so that they are not able to provide medical support for him, and they kept him in a “Khore” (i.e. meaning cage or kennel in Nepali) treating him like a domestic animal. The COVID situation has made the situation worse, as social security allowances have been halted.

Since April 2020, and during this lockdown period, advocacy work was done around his case, but due to the Covid-19 situation, he was denied admission to hospital. Eventually, Gita Kumari Dahal, communication officer of National Human Rights Commission Morang district along with other activists came to know about his case and referred Kancha Magar to B.P Memorial Hospital for further treatment

Support received from government and other agencies

No support from government is evident in the research areas at the metropolitan, in Ward 19 and in the Katahari rural municipality

However, a range of civil society initiatives have been noted this month. Including support for regular disinfecting at Koshi Hospital of Biratnagar, which treats Covid-19 and other diseases; mobile PCR testing for senior citizens, children, disabled people and maternal women jointly organised by Biratnagar Metropolitan office and the Rotary Club of Biratnagar; and youth clubs and CSOs supporting food items for senior citizens of Birat senior shelter home. Samajsewi Tol Bikas organization has also provided food essentials to needy people in Ward No. 12.

Human rights activists have organised a hearing program against some private hospitals who had been treating patients inhumanely, charging high prices and denying treatment.