Disaster-Hit Children Struggle Without School Buildings, Charity Says -Reuters, June 19, 2016
BANGKOK (Thomson Reuters Foundation)–From earthquakes in Nepal to flooding in Myanmar, disasters damage or destroy thousands of schools leaving hundreds of thousands of children unable to go to class, yet education is often overlooked in humanitarian responses, a charity said.
Deadly earthquakes in Nepal last year damaged or destroyed more than 8,200 schools, leaving 870,000 children without classrooms. Nearly a year on, many children were still taking lessons in makeshift facilities without walls, exposed to cold winter weather, Save the Children said in a report on lost education due to disasters in the Asia Pacific.
Part of the problem is that less than 2 percent of humanitarian aid is earmarked for education, leading to delays in the reconstruction and repair of damaged schools, the global aid agency said.
“Regardless of the size of the disaster–it doesn’t matter if it’s small or big–education is disrupted, and students’ lives are impacted,” said Sarah Ireland, the author of the report, by telephone from Melbourne.
The report, to be launched on Tuesday, details the impact on schoolchildren of five disasters in 2015, including flooding in Myanmar that put 4,100 schools out of action, leaving 250,000 children in limbo for several months.
“Education needs to be prioritized as part of a holistic response,” said Ireland, the humanitarian advocacy and policy adviser for Save the Children.
“If education is supported before, during, and after disasters, it can save lives, protect children and benefit whole communities and countries." For example, many children attend schools that are not built to withstand the impact of natural disasters, Ireland said.
“If you consider how much time a child spends in schools, if a disaster hits, like an earthquake or a flood, that school is likely to cause injury or loss of life,” she said. “We need to ensure the school is a safe place for children to go.”
Schools–that are still standing–often play an important role in the humanitarian response to a disaster, serving as a community hub where disaster-hit families can access healthcare, clean water and food in safety.
“If children are in a school … their parents can actually go about their business rebuilding their lives, knowing their children are in a safe place and that their children will be less vulnerable to trafficking, abuse or exploitation,” Ireland said.
BANGKOK (Thomson Reuters Foundation)–From earthquakes in Nepal to flooding in Myanmar, disasters damage or destroy thousands of schools leaving hundreds of thousands of children unable to go to class, yet education is often overlooked in humanitarian responses, a charity said.
Deadly earthquakes in Nepal last year damaged or destroyed more than 8,200 schools, leaving 870,000 children without classrooms. Nearly a year on, many children were still taking lessons in makeshift facilities without walls, exposed to cold winter weather, Save the Children said in a report on lost education due to disasters in the Asia Pacific.
Part of the problem is that less than 2 percent of humanitarian aid is earmarked for education, leading to delays in the reconstruction and repair of damaged schools, the global aid agency said.
“Regardless of the size of the disaster–it doesn’t matter if it’s small or big–education is disrupted, and students’ lives are impacted,” said Sarah Ireland, the author of the report, by telephone from Melbourne.
The report, to be launched on Tuesday, details the impact on schoolchildren of five disasters in 2015, including flooding in Myanmar that put 4,100 schools out of action, leaving 250,000 children in limbo for several months.
“Education needs to be prioritized as part of a holistic response,” said Ireland, the humanitarian advocacy and policy adviser for Save the Children.
“If education is supported before, during, and after disasters, it can save lives, protect children and benefit whole communities and countries." For example, many children attend schools that are not built to withstand the impact of natural disasters, Ireland said.
“If you consider how much time a child spends in schools, if a disaster hits, like an earthquake or a flood, that school is likely to cause injury or loss of life,” she said. “We need to ensure the school is a safe place for children to go.”
Schools–that are still standing–often play an important role in the humanitarian response to a disaster, serving as a community hub where disaster-hit families can access healthcare, clean water and food in safety.
“If children are in a school … their parents can actually go about their business rebuilding their lives, knowing their children are in a safe place and that their children will be less vulnerable to trafficking, abuse or exploitation,” Ireland said.
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/child-slavery-rich-brits-buying-children-who-survived-nepalese-earthquake-5000-1552936?utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=yahoo_news&utm_campaign=rss&utm_content=/rss/yahoous
Child slavery: Rich Brits buying children who survived the Nepalese earthquake for £5,00
Children left devastated by the earthquake in Nepal in 2015 have been preyed upon by slave traders Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters
Wealthy British families are buying children left devastated by last year's earthquake in Nepal to work as domestic slaves. The children – who are as young as 10 – are being sold for as little as £5,250 (Rs 500,000, $7,468) by black market gangs operating in India's Punjab region, according to an investigation by The Sun.
The gangs are targeting the children of Nepalese refugees and poor Indian families, the probe by the newspaper's undercover team revealed. Slave trader Makkhan Singh told a reporter that the children are obtained by approaching their destitute parents to "do a deal."
"I can supply the boy. But as to taking him into the UK and the documents you will need, that's your responsibility," Singh added. "We have supplied boys who have actually gone on to the UK. What you do with him's up to you." Singh revealed that he usually wraps up a deal within 10 minutes and said: "Take a Nepalese to England. They are good people. They are good at doing housework and they're very good cooks. No one is going to come after you."
A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake in the Himalayan nation in April 2015 unleashed a wave of horror, killing nearly 9,000 people and leaving millions in need of aid. Buildings including historic temples and monuments were badly damaged, forcing people to live in makeshift camps as they were too afraid to stay inside.
The Sun's reporter was taken by Singh to meet the children facing a life of servitude, including 10-year-old Amit, 12-year-old Pooja and 13-year-old Susti Ram. Singh said that he had been trading children for eight years and insisted on doing the deal first. "You're not taking them straight to England," he said. "You don't need the documents straight away. We know plenty of people who can do the documents. We've got a good network."
The damning news prompted a quick response from the Home Secretary, who called child trafficking a "truly abhorrent crime" and called on the National Crime Agency (NCA) to look into the claims. "No child, anywhere in the world, should be taken away from their home and forced to work in slavery," said Theresa May.
"That is why we introduced the landmark Modern Slavery Act last year, which included enhanced protections for potential child victims of slavery and sentences up to life imprisonment for those found guilty.
"We encourage The Sun to share its disturbing findings with the Police and National Crime Agency so that appropriate action can be taken against the vile criminals who profit from this trade."
Speaking to Sky News, an NCA spokeswoman said: "The NCA works with partners in the UK and internationally to identify and pursue criminals and to safeguard both child and adult victims.
"The hidden nature of human trafficking means that it often goes unreported. Anyone who suspects it should report their concerns to law enforcement," she added.
Child slavery: Rich Brits buying children who survived the Nepalese earthquake for £5,00
By Romil Patel
April 4, 2016 02:43 BST
Children left devastated by the earthquake in Nepal in 2015 have been preyed upon by slave traders Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters
Wealthy British families are buying children left devastated by last year's earthquake in Nepal to work as domestic slaves. The children – who are as young as 10 – are being sold for as little as £5,250 (Rs 500,000, $7,468) by black market gangs operating in India's Punjab region, according to an investigation by The Sun.
The gangs are targeting the children of Nepalese refugees and poor Indian families, the probe by the newspaper's undercover team revealed. Slave trader Makkhan Singh told a reporter that the children are obtained by approaching their destitute parents to "do a deal."
"I can supply the boy. But as to taking him into the UK and the documents you will need, that's your responsibility," Singh added. "We have supplied boys who have actually gone on to the UK. What you do with him's up to you." Singh revealed that he usually wraps up a deal within 10 minutes and said: "Take a Nepalese to England. They are good people. They are good at doing housework and they're very good cooks. No one is going to come after you."
A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake in the Himalayan nation in April 2015 unleashed a wave of horror, killing nearly 9,000 people and leaving millions in need of aid. Buildings including historic temples and monuments were badly damaged, forcing people to live in makeshift camps as they were too afraid to stay inside.
The Sun's reporter was taken by Singh to meet the children facing a life of servitude, including 10-year-old Amit, 12-year-old Pooja and 13-year-old Susti Ram. Singh said that he had been trading children for eight years and insisted on doing the deal first. "You're not taking them straight to England," he said. "You don't need the documents straight away. We know plenty of people who can do the documents. We've got a good network."
The damning news prompted a quick response from the Home Secretary, who called child trafficking a "truly abhorrent crime" and called on the National Crime Agency (NCA) to look into the claims. "No child, anywhere in the world, should be taken away from their home and forced to work in slavery," said Theresa May.
"That is why we introduced the landmark Modern Slavery Act last year, which included enhanced protections for potential child victims of slavery and sentences up to life imprisonment for those found guilty.
"We encourage The Sun to share its disturbing findings with the Police and National Crime Agency so that appropriate action can be taken against the vile criminals who profit from this trade."
Speaking to Sky News, an NCA spokeswoman said: "The NCA works with partners in the UK and internationally to identify and pursue criminals and to safeguard both child and adult victims.
"The hidden nature of human trafficking means that it often goes unreported. Anyone who suspects it should report their concerns to law enforcement," she added.
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/asia/other/2016/04/25/464339/Nepal-marks.htm
Nepal marks 1 year since quake as frustration grows
By Paavan Mathema, AFP
April 25, 2016, 12:08 am TWN
KATHMANDU -- Nepal held memorial services on Sunday for the thousands killed in a massive earthquake one year ago, as victims still huddled in tents across the country accused the government of failing them.
Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli laid flowers at a destroyed 19th-century tower in Kathmandu, where hundreds gathered to remember the devastating quake that ripped through the impoverished Himalayan nation.
Buddhist monks in maroon robes also held prayers at the site of a popular temple destroyed in the 7.8-magnitude quake that killed nearly 9,000 people.
Some four million survivors are still living in temporary shelters one year on, according to aid agencies, with frustration against the government mounting.
Around 100 protesters — including victims of the disaster — marched toward government offices in the capital, demanding faster reconstruction efforts.
Chhuldim Samden, a 21-year-old student, said she was fed up with waiting for help as she and her family struggle to survive in a shack in the capital.
“Even after one year, so many people are staying in tents, we are still living in a shack,” Samden told AFP as she took part in the protest.
“Where did all the donations go?”
Fears of quake-triggered landslides forced Samden, her parents and 17 other families from her village in the devastated Sindhupalchowk district to walk for two days until they eventually found shelter in Kathmandu.
Although international donors pledged US$4.1 billion to aid Nepal's recovery, political wrangling over control of the funds and delays in setting up the National Reconstruction Authority mean most victims have received nothing beyond an initial small payout.
Following a storm of criticism, the government has vowed to kick-start reconstruction of schools and hospitals, and speed up distribution of the first US$500 installment of a US$2,000 payout promised to homeless survivors.
Trekking guide Govinda Timilsina told AFP his life has been on hold since losing his house. He has been unable to rebuild his home himself because of the government's complex rules for qualifying for quake aid.
“The government rules were so confusing, we were scared we would not get compensation if we started work on our own,” said Timilsina.
'Remember us survivors'
Apart from the damage to hundreds of thousands of homes nationwide, the disaster reduced more than a hundred monuments to rubble and damaged another 560 structures, including many centuries-old temples and stunning royal palaces, in the Kathmandu valley that used to attract visitors from around the world.
In the historic town of Bhaktapur, many of the traditional brick houses that made it famous have been replaced by gray tents and rusty tin shacks where women like Laxmi Nyapit are now forced to raise their children.
“Unless we get help, I don't know how we will ever live in a house again,” the mother-of-three told AFP while sitting in her tent, which houses a bed and a stove.
Nyapit, who has received just US$150 from the government, said commemorations — including candlelight vigils planned for later Sunday — meant little.
“They have to remember those who died, but first they have to remember us survivors and come here to help us,” said the 40-year-old, who earns 35 rupees (32 U.S. cents) a day from knitting gloves.
“If our government cared, we would not be living like this after a year.”
The disaster struck on April 25 but commemorations were being held on Sunday — the quake anniversary according to the Nepali calendar.
It wrecked infrastructure across the hardest-hit regions of Nepal, damaging more than 1,200 health centers and severing a lifeline for remote, rural communities.
Nearly 8,000 schools were destroyed or left unsafe, leaving almost one million children without classrooms.
Tired of waiting, some 110,000 families have moved back into homes that are still at risk of collapse. More than 31,000 victims have also rebuilt their own houses, taking out loans or turning to charities for help.
On top of the financial losses, pegged at US$7 billion, the disaster also delivered a severe blow to Nepal's already weak economy.
Growth is now expected to reach just 1.5 percent over the financial year ending in July 2016 — the lowest level since 2007 — according to the Asian Development Bank.
Nepal marks 1 year since quake as frustration grows
By Paavan Mathema, AFP
April 25, 2016, 12:08 am TWN
KATHMANDU -- Nepal held memorial services on Sunday for the thousands killed in a massive earthquake one year ago, as victims still huddled in tents across the country accused the government of failing them.
Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli laid flowers at a destroyed 19th-century tower in Kathmandu, where hundreds gathered to remember the devastating quake that ripped through the impoverished Himalayan nation.
Buddhist monks in maroon robes also held prayers at the site of a popular temple destroyed in the 7.8-magnitude quake that killed nearly 9,000 people.
Some four million survivors are still living in temporary shelters one year on, according to aid agencies, with frustration against the government mounting.
Around 100 protesters — including victims of the disaster — marched toward government offices in the capital, demanding faster reconstruction efforts.
Chhuldim Samden, a 21-year-old student, said she was fed up with waiting for help as she and her family struggle to survive in a shack in the capital.
“Even after one year, so many people are staying in tents, we are still living in a shack,” Samden told AFP as she took part in the protest.
“Where did all the donations go?”
Fears of quake-triggered landslides forced Samden, her parents and 17 other families from her village in the devastated Sindhupalchowk district to walk for two days until they eventually found shelter in Kathmandu.
Although international donors pledged US$4.1 billion to aid Nepal's recovery, political wrangling over control of the funds and delays in setting up the National Reconstruction Authority mean most victims have received nothing beyond an initial small payout.
Following a storm of criticism, the government has vowed to kick-start reconstruction of schools and hospitals, and speed up distribution of the first US$500 installment of a US$2,000 payout promised to homeless survivors.
Trekking guide Govinda Timilsina told AFP his life has been on hold since losing his house. He has been unable to rebuild his home himself because of the government's complex rules for qualifying for quake aid.
“The government rules were so confusing, we were scared we would not get compensation if we started work on our own,” said Timilsina.
'Remember us survivors'
Apart from the damage to hundreds of thousands of homes nationwide, the disaster reduced more than a hundred monuments to rubble and damaged another 560 structures, including many centuries-old temples and stunning royal palaces, in the Kathmandu valley that used to attract visitors from around the world.
In the historic town of Bhaktapur, many of the traditional brick houses that made it famous have been replaced by gray tents and rusty tin shacks where women like Laxmi Nyapit are now forced to raise their children.
“Unless we get help, I don't know how we will ever live in a house again,” the mother-of-three told AFP while sitting in her tent, which houses a bed and a stove.
Nyapit, who has received just US$150 from the government, said commemorations — including candlelight vigils planned for later Sunday — meant little.
“They have to remember those who died, but first they have to remember us survivors and come here to help us,” said the 40-year-old, who earns 35 rupees (32 U.S. cents) a day from knitting gloves.
“If our government cared, we would not be living like this after a year.”
The disaster struck on April 25 but commemorations were being held on Sunday — the quake anniversary according to the Nepali calendar.
It wrecked infrastructure across the hardest-hit regions of Nepal, damaging more than 1,200 health centers and severing a lifeline for remote, rural communities.
Nearly 8,000 schools were destroyed or left unsafe, leaving almost one million children without classrooms.
Tired of waiting, some 110,000 families have moved back into homes that are still at risk of collapse. More than 31,000 victims have also rebuilt their own houses, taking out loans or turning to charities for help.
On top of the financial losses, pegged at US$7 billion, the disaster also delivered a severe blow to Nepal's already weak economy.
Growth is now expected to reach just 1.5 percent over the financial year ending in July 2016 — the lowest level since 2007 — according to the Asian Development Bank.