Insights from Morang, Biratnagar, Nepal: December 2020

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

This blog is the fifth 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

The Covid situation continues to improve, and some Schools and Colleges have been reopening.  Transport and markets are also operating as normal but this is introducing health risks.  A sixteen-day activism campaign on violence against women took place and many events and different programmes were carried out by a range of groups and organisations.

As Morang is in Terai Region, Chhath festival was celebrated. This is a very important festival in the southern part of the country and is celebrated for a few days by fasting and worshipping the sun and the goddess. In order to follow Covid-19 protocols some people worshipped in their home while others worshipped at nearby ponds and lakes.

Environmental conditions

Many crops ripened this month, but due to lack of supply of compost manure problems have arisen and some land has been left empty through on other land grains and maize are being grown.

COVID situation

There is less talk about Covid now as the situation becomes more normal.  2 people tested positive, but people are now more mobile and not following social distancing.  Crowds are increasing and people are seen moving around without masks.  With many schools now open teachers and students are being required to follow protocols related to Covid-19.

Mental health and wellbeing

There are no reported cases of mental health issues, and health posts are now open for most of the day, providing medicines, polio drops, and raising awareness of sanitation and how to deal with a wave of colds that is very common in the southern part of Nepal during the winter.

Gender issues and incidents of violence this month

At the Ward level, some discussion has taken place related to the large and discriminatory wage difference between male and female labourers.

Photo insert: Biratnagar photo No.5

There were no reports of violence against women being observed but during this month many programmes and awareness-raising events related to ending GBV were conducted.

A resident of Morang Mimlagunj rural municipality was murdered in 2077 Mangsir 23 and Morang’s Police head has taken charge of this case. Although it is not a GBV case it has become political and the Biplav (maoist) party are involved. This has led to violence and fear among people similar to how it was during the internal armed conflict period.

Support received from the government and other agencies

Acting on the initiative of the Development Minister, local government support and shelter has been provided to 66 street people.  This month the Red Cross provided aid to 40 families in need from among the Rishidev community. In a further positive development Province 1 has agreed to give 100,000 people ‘Lalpurja’ which is a land document. With this document, many poor families will be able to have a small piece of land for their housing. This programme has already started in different places in Biratnagar (urabari, patharari sanechare, belbari, rangeli letang, kanepokhari and miklajung rural municipality).