posted by Judy Gray with information from Suresh Shrestha
Dale Dodge recently received an email from Suresh Shrestha, coordinator of Tamakoshi Sewa Samiti, and our partner in Nepal. Suresh was writing to let us know about a new and difficult situation facing the people in that country. Suresh writes:
“The life of people has been crippled due to 45 days of an undisclosed blockade by India since the promulgation of the new constitution. Being landlocked Nepal is heavily dependent on trade routes with India. The biggest route is in Birgunj/Raxaul from where about 70% of fuel is supplied; and this route has been totally blocked for the last 45 days.” The effects of this strike and the route blockade are devastating and have created some of the following problems:
~ Huge fuel crisis. Just to get 5 liters of fuel, it is required to line up for 4-5 days.
~ Huge shortage of cooking gas
~ Shortage of food supplies and increased prices up to 100%, which are mainly imported from India
~ Schools closed for last two months, especially in town, where children need to go by bus
Suresh continues by describing the effects of this blockade in Ramechhap:
“~ Nepal Oil Co-operation is supplying fuel to two gas satiations of Manthali, on the recommendation from Chief District Officer. But this is not regular. Our hospital ambulance will get the diesel while taking to patient to Kathmandu. We are also getting diesel for hospital generator.
~ Vehicular movement in Ramechhap is less, but not much over-loaded from Kathmandu-Manthali-Kathmandu
~ Less vehicle movement in other parts other parts of Ramechhap
~ The prices of foods and other goods are increased due to transportation and less & shortage in supply
~ People are now started to use fuel-wood for cooking.
~ Schools are running as the students don’t need to travel by any vehicle.”
We are hoping that this situation will be resolved soon as an increase in the price of goods and food is yet another challenge the people have faced during the past year. His entire email and explanation follows.
Continue reading “India border strike causing problems in Nepal”
elations Nav has focused heavily on sustainable community development both internationally and regionally. Since 2011, she has worked as a sustainable development advisor with numerous grassroots NGOs in Nepal, who all work to increase the health and wellbeing of marginalized populations. Regionally, Nav works as a researcher based out of UBC-Okanagan. Her work explores cross-cultural mental health promotion and community belonging in the South Similkameen Valley.
