Sympathy without action means nothing: GK mission after the 25th of April 2015 Nepal earthquake

The team from our partner in Bangladesh, GK, arrived the day after the second quake with medical supplies and tents. I got a call at 6am in the morning when they arrived. If I could come and pick them up at the Ring Road, since they couldn't drive into the city, because the bus was stacked so high, it couldn't get under the electrical wires. On my bike to meet with the 12 members of the team, off loading the stuff and finding pick ups to drop it at our house. They brought around 50 boxes of medical supplies, some tents and 2.000 liters of water.

Some news from GEFONT's earthquake relief

GEFONT held a press conference today, regarding the relief efforts they have been providing in the aftermath of the 25 April earthquake. Under the banner of joint platform of Nepali trade union JTUCC (Joint Trade Union Coordination Centre) a memorial service was organised in the evening of May 1st.  Thousands of candles were lit to pay tribute to deceased people, speedy recovery of injured persons, and condolences to the bereaved family and solidarity to the entire victims. It was one of the first and special programme dedicated to general public after the shock.

Solidarity in the south and between WSM partners

It is not only from the West that solidarity comes to Nepal after the earthquake, but most support has been given by India. Also the WSM partners in Asia have expressed their solidarity and support.

Just two illustrations: the Cambodian Labour Confederation (CLC), and C.CWADU also WSM partners, are gathering donations for GEFONT and NTUC (see article).

Another partner in Bangladesh, GK, which runs a Medical College and hospital said there are many Nepali students there, who, with the help from staff, went round requesting for donations. Apparently, while collecting this money, a child selling flowers on the street also come up to them and donated 10Taka (10Eurocent). GK will be sending a team of volunteers along with the Nepali doctors and students to Nepal for medical support.

When a Nepali migrant worker comes home after the earthquake...

Watch this segment for Al Jazeera, about a Nepali worker, Suresh Kumal, who returned home to scenes of devastation and personal loss, made by a friend of ours, Subina Shrestha.

Even though the need is big to help with the rebuilding, he will still need to go back to pay the loan from the company.

A reality often overlooked in the aftermath of the earthquake, while at least two million Nepali are working abroad in the Gulf States. When I visited some villages, an old couple was clearing away the debris of their house. There were not enough young men left in the area to help....

The Independent headlined Nepal earthquake victims' families prevented from leaving Qatar Fifa World Cup building sites to attend funerals: Strict rules, known as kafala, mean that many of the 400,000 Nepalese employed in the country have their passports taken.

So, what can you do? Well, Avaaz has launched a petition to demand the abolshment of the Kafala system, which enslaves migrant workers. Sign it here. 

Bangladesh approves its National Social Security Strategy

Original article from Development Pathways here.
In early April 2015, the Government of Bangladesh approved its new National Social Security Strategy (NSSS). Since independence, Bangladesh has instituted a range of social security schemes although the level of investment in conventional cash-based schemes has remained relatively low, at no more than 0.7% of GDP, while overall spending on social protection – once civil service pensions and food transfers are included – is over 2% of GDP). Research by Development Pathways has indicated that the impact of the current social security system is minimal, reducing the poverty rate by a mere 4.5%. The Government of Bangladesh has also been concerned about inefficiencies in the system as well as a proliferation of small schemes across a wide range of Ministries (often promoted and financed by development partners). The NSSS is an attempt by the government to bring coherence to the national social security system while also developing a long-term vision for a more modern and comprehensive system. Development Pathways – in collaboration with the Policy Research Institute (PRI) and SANEM – were contracted to support the Planning Commission in developing the Strategy.