Climate change and the environment determinants of violence and mental distress in fragile contexts: Ethiopia, Myanmar, and Nepal
This blog is No.9 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
Covid-19 has rapidly grown in most Asian countries and the effect of the rapid rise in cases in India are now directly observed in Nepal and cross-border mobility has made things severe as people rely on the market across the border. Lockdown is now in effect in Biratnagar due to the increasing threat from the new variant and the spread of the infection.
The Indo-Nepal borders are now sealed and for that reason price hikes have arisen in Biratnagar (related for example to sugar, vegetables, and oil) as the community largely depends on the market on the Indian side for their daily consumption. Many people also depend on work across the border as migrant labourers.
Environmental conditions
Farmers have now harvested their crops which are now ready to be sold in the market. They are waiting for the monsoon to start farming their new crops. Farmers are typically farming in other people’s land for their living, and people who aren’t farming are working on the basis of weekly wages.
COVID situation
A new wave of Covid-19 has affected many places in Biratnagar including Morang and most Village District Committees (VDCs) of Katahari ward no.1, 2, 3, 4, India. Neighbouring districts borders are now sealed.
In Morang the data reported by one of the narrators indicates:
- 595 females and 865 males are affected by COVID-19
- 38 females and 108 males died from COVID-19
- Up to now 5725 females and 9132 males have been affected by COVID-19
People are falling ill from common colds due to the change in the weather in Biratnagar this month but many of the symptoms also match with the symptoms of COVID 19. However not enough PCR testing is done so it is unknown if people were getting the common cold, flu, or COVID 19. The cases are rising, and rapid testing needs to be adopted.
Vaccine for the second wave of COVID-19 is being provided to frontline women helpers and other people and ‘1200 people of age above 65 in community-level have also been provided with the vaccine’. The vaccine for other age groups is not yet available.
Mental health and wellbeing
People are aware of this new wave of COVID-19 and are worried and anxious about not getting vaccine as the infection rates are rising. The lack of access to PCR testing has created mental pressures as people worry about infecting loved ones in the family.
The loss of jobs and work due to lockdown has also made it very difficult for people who struggle with their daily needs, and this has created a tense situation where they feel low and helpless.
No incidents of mental health have occurred in Biratnagar community this month, and for other regular illnesses the health post have remained open and offering a range of free service including check-ups, regular vaccines for new-borns and children, and iron tablets for pregnant women.
Gender issues and incidents of violence this month
Following up on the domestic violence-related divorce case in Biratnagar from the last month, the woman who filed divorce has successfully got her divorce.
No other cases were observed this month, which ‘may also be because this month the cases of COVID rose and people’s whole attention has been focussed on this situation’.
Support received from government and other agencies
Activities of the municipality and other agencies noted this month were:
- PCR check-ups have been slowly increased by the municipality but is not yet sufficient. People lack information about how to gain access to these kinds of available services.
- CWIN Nepal, in coordination with the ward offices, has provided a food facility to 15 pregnant and postpartum mothers and 50 families with disabilities.
- Awareness-raising campaigns by youth from different organizations and clubs in Biratnagar sensitizing people about the use of a mask by handling pamphlets saying “Where’s Mask” have been seen in Biratnagar.
- “Tin Toliya Samaj Sewa”, one social organisation has helped Covid affected people in Biratnagar municipality 10. This organisation also allocated the sum of Rs.50,000 from the organization’s budget to support the treatment of people affected and provide them with some food.
Issues noted at the community level
As previously reported child marriage between under aged couples is increasing as a result of love affairs, and domestic violence within families in the Dalit community continues to be a problem due to alcohol consumption.
A new problem observed is that grazing of cows has increased in Biratnagar, as people are leaving their cattle around without accompanying them.
That’s all for now
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