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The family of Birkha Bahadur Karki from Bheri Municipality-2, Jajarkot, is trying to piece their lives back together after their world crumbled in the earthquake on the night of Nov 3. It has been over a month since the disaster, and yet the Karki family is living under a makeshift shelter made from tarpaulin sheets. The government promised assistance hasn’t found its way to them.
 

Karki says he has done everything the local government has asked him to get the funds so that he can build a shelter for his family, but to no avail. “I have already filled up the beneficiary form and opened a bank account. I don’t know what is causing the delay,” he says. “It’s cold, and the nights are long. I don’t know how long we are going to live in this state.”

Kiran Bhandari’s family faces a similar struggle. Their house now lies in ruins. The tarpaulin tent they call home hardly shields them from the biting cold. “We filled out the forms, hoping for some relief, but it seems like the funds we are supposed to get have been caught in the bureaucratic maze,” he says. His family, like many others, hasn't seen a rupee of the promised assistance. 

“We just want a place where our children can feel safe. We will be alright if only the government provided us with a proper shelter to live in. We don’t need monetary assistance.”

The fate of Karki and Bhadari are shared by tens of thousands of quake displaced people in Jajarkot and the neighboring district of Rukum West. As winter tightens its grip, the tarpaulin shacks that were supposed to be temporary are becoming more unbearable. 

The government claims to have simplified the process of providing assistance, but the earthquake victims argue that the bureaucratic hurdles, such as the requirement to open a bank account and fill up several forms, have caused delays. 

Even though the government has announced to distribute cash handouts to those families who do not have bank accounts, the local governments have been insisting that every earthquake-affected families open bank accounts.
 

The process of opening bank accounts has been cumbersome, especially for those who do not have citizenship documents or have migrated from other districts.

Hari Bahadur Basnet of Bheri Municipality-3 highlights the difficulties faced by those who have moved from outside the district.

“Banks are demanding police issued documents stating that our houses and properties were destroyed by the earthquake, but we haven’t got any such documents. Many of us don’t even have citizenship,” says Basnet.

The procedural framework has been criticized as unjust by earthquake victims, hindering many from receiving the promised assistance. A month after the earthquake, details about damage and temporary shelters are still unavailable, attributing negligence and lack of coordination to the government.

The requirement for the quake displaced families to fill out a self-declaration form stating that they do not own homes elsewhere, and tasks such as opening a bank account have kept  many beneficiaries from receiving the government promised assistance. Many local governments have withdrawn the funds, but the distribution process has been held up in the name of completing the paperworks and bank account requirements.

The delay has left quake victims vulnerable to the harsh conditions, with health issues affecting vulnerable groups. Dr. Pratiksha Bharati, chief of District Health Service Office, Jajarkot, reveals the pressing health concerns.

"Nearly a thousand people are in need of medical attention. Health issues such as respiratory infections, pneumonia, fever, cold, and diarrhea are common among the earthquake victims," says Bharati.

She says senior citizens, children, people with chronic health conditions and pregnant women have been affected the most. 

The government has pledged to provide Rs 50,000 each to the quake displaced families in two installments. That was nearly three weeks ago, and yet many families in Jajarkot have not even received the first installment of the promised sum. 

The local government of Shivapuri Rural Municipality has received more than Rs 82m from the central government, but the local earthquake victims are yet to receive the money. Chhedagad and Barekot municipalities have also not been able to provide assistance to the beneficiaries. 

Another municipality, Nalgad, has not even requested for funds so far, as the authorities have not yet identified the total number of earthquake victims. Like Nalgad, there are several other municipalities in Jajarkot that are still assessing the damage and recording the number of earthquake victims.

Bir Bahadur Giri, chairman of Barekot Rural Municipality, says the delay in collecting beneficiary details has hindered the distribution of funds. 

“The delay has been caused due to incomplete submission of self-declaration forms,” he says.

Despite the government's plan to provide temporary housing to all earthquake-affected families by the Nepali month of Mangsir, the successful implementation of the program is yet to be seen. 

Chief District Officer Suresh Sunar says his office has been repeatedly urging the local municipal offices to expedite the fund distribution process, but to no avail.

“They say delay in form submission, lack of documentation and dispute among locals have hindered the fund distribution process,” says Sunar.

Dubai: The 28th global climate conference (COP28) is currently underway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and will go on till Dec 12. It’s being held at Expo City—a cutting-edge venue designed to champion sustainability and circularity principles. This purpose-built city spans 4.38 sq km and offers an enhanced quality of life for its visitors, featuring top-tier events.

Expo City in Dubai is segregated into two zones for COP28—the Blue Zone, accessible to accredited party and observer delegates conducting formal negotiations—and the Green Zone, serving as a platform for activists to share their climate projects and stories on a global scale.

With a record-breaking 84,000 registered attendees, this year’s COP marks a significant contrast from its modest beginnings in Berlin in 1995, which had fewer than 4,000 delegates. Last year’s COP27 in Egypt attracted around 50,000 visitors, further highlighting the growth and importance of this global event.

During COP28, Nepal, chair of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), emphasized the urgent need for dialogue on mountain and climate change issues. They advocated for fair grants to address the climate crisis and stressed the necessity for a predictable, simplified, and sufficient Loss and Damage Fund tailored to LDCs and mountainous countries.

The Nepali Pavilion has been actively engaged in hosting at least five sideline events daily, with an estimated 250 Nepali delegates participating in the conference.

The conference commenced with a landmark agreement on establishing a loss and damage fund, aimed at assisting developing countries in managing the repercussions of climate change—an agreement reached on the inaugural day of the event. 

Anjana Malla, 28, is the founder of Deego Nepal which was registered in 2021. Malla was working for an INGO and had what people consider a ‘good job’. But she was constantly overwhelmed by the desire to do something to protect the environment. So, she quit her job and started her own company that offers eco-friendly alternatives for many everyday items. Today, Deego Nepal is an award-winning women-led sustainable brand.

Malla says working in places at different I/NGOs armed her with the knowledge and confidence to do something of her own. By the time she launched Deego Nepal, she knew she could run a successful business while staying true to her core principles. So, in 2020, she co-founded the company with two of her colleagues. 

“We knew we wanted to replace as many plastic products as possible, with sustainable alternatives like bamboo, straw, and wood,” she says. The Covid-19 lockdowns were spent doing research. Malla says they wanted to have a clear idea about the concept and line of products Deego Nepal would promote. 

Through Deego-Nepal, they have been supporting women, local artisans, farmers, and marginalized communities by creating wage-based job opportunities. Currently, about 75 women from different parts of Nepal, including Bardia, Dhading, Chitwan, Dang, and Kathmandu, work on sustainable products for Deego-Nepal.

Malla was born and brought up in Bardiya, in the Lumbini Province in midwestern Nepal. She saw Tharu locals weave bamboo products like ‘nanglo’, ‘doko’ and ‘dalo’. She found it fascinating to watch. She realized it had left a lasting impression on her young mind when years later she found herself sharing similar ideas with her colleagues. Crafting daily-use items through generational practices is now the mantra of Deego Nepal.  

Malla, as the CEO of Deego Nepal, is meticulous about ensuring everything is in order. She makes sure there aren’t any unnecessary issues with the company’s employees and customers. Focused on sustainability, Malla designs and promotes goods that are modern adaptations of indigenous practices. Deego Nepal’s products like tote bags, storage boxes, laundry baskets, wooden combs, loofahs, soaps, and scrubbers are easy to compost and biodegradable. 

Besides promoting sustainable alternatives, Malla also wants to spread awareness about the importance of an eco-friendly lifestyle. She has participated in numerous programs and workshops for the same. She is also constantly creating and posting videos and tips on the ways people can be kinder to the planet. She lives by the motto of Refuse, Reduce, and Recycle (3Rs) and wishes other people would practice it too. 

But it isn’t easy, she says. People have a warped idea of sustainability. Many think it’s just a trend and look down upon it. Some also think it’s expensive to live a sustainable lifestyle when it’s not. “You don’t have to throw away things and buy sustainable products, which is what most people believe. You can reuse and repurpose what you have,” says Malla. When you have to replace something, then you choose a sustainable alternative.

Malla says initially she struggled to make her parents understand what she was doing and why she was doing it. Though they now support her sustainable plant-based weaving business by helping her come up with ideas as well as source materials, they too had to be educated about the need to use fewer resources and live as eco-friendly lifestyles as possible. 

“People need to change their mindsets. It’s not about changing what you use. It’s about how you think and what you do with what you already have,” says Malla, adding using what you have for a long time is also a part of sustainable living. 

Deego Nepal, like any other homegrown business, has had its share of ups and downs but they have also received a fair share of accolades. People who have used their products have appreciated the craftsmanship and unique ideas. The company was the winner of the Greenovation segment in the Idea Studio Program Season 5. It also received the ‘Green Start-Up Award’ at CYINEF startup Fest 2022.

“At first, it was difficult to prove to people that eco-friendly products aren’t always pricier than plastic. One sustainable item might cost the same as three cheap plastic ones but it will last longer too,” says Malla. She expects people to make smart choices and adopt a sustainable mindset instead of just following trends. The good thing, she says, is that over time people have become more conscious about the need for sustainable living. 

Malla’s team aims to offer top-notch sustainable products and services as well as create a positive impact on society. Though the company doesn’t have a solid marketing strategy, it’s getting a good rap through its participation in farmer markets, programs, and product reviews. Social media has also been a boon, says Malla. “It has widened our reach.”

However, Malla doesn’t want to limit herself to Deego Nepal in her quest to promote sustainable living. She doesn’t like it when people litter on the streets, especially when they are hiking and going for other adventure sports. In a bid to raise awareness about its ill effects, she organizes hiking events where connection with nature is emphasized. 

Deego Nepal also collaborates with several organizations for awareness programs. Recently, they collaborated with Chakraviu Nepal, a non-profit organization that works to improve carefree quality education. They worked on a project to recycle old jeans into school bags for underprivileged students.

Malla strongly believes in helping local projects and resources and she wants to inspire the young generation to opt for eco-friendly practices. “Engaging young people in sustainable practices can help bring new ideas and perspectives. It will also build a strong foundation for entrepreneurship for a sustainable future as well,” she says. 

In numerous instances, former President of Nepal Bidya Devi Bhandari has underscored the interconnectedness of the country's education policy with its overall security. The security issues of Nepal are mentioned within the realm of national interest in the Constitution of Nepal, 2015.

Article 5 of the constitution states, “Independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, nationality, autonomy, self-respect, protection of rights and interest of Nepali people, protection of boundaries and economic progress and prosperity shall be fundamental subjects of Nepal’s national interest.”

President Bhandari's assertion that undermining a country involves compromising its education system prompts an exploration of its security implications for Nepal. 

While territorial integrity relies mainly on military defense, the broader facets of independence and sovereignty include the citizens' psyche, national perception and global image—elements constituting non-traditional security concerns globally. Against this backdrop, there exists a compelling rationale to consider the education curriculum, system and policy as integral components of the state's security policy. 

On Oct 7 this year, when Hamas attacked Israel, numerous foreign citizens, including 10 Nepali citizens, lost their lives. Many were initially stranded in the crossfire but have since been rescued and safely brought home. Unfortunately, one Nepali citizen is still missing and believed to be in Hamas’ captivity. The emotional toll on their families is unimaginable. In the aftermath of this tragic event, it became evident that citizens tend to hold only their country of citizenship accountable for their situations.

There is palpable resentment against the government and the state, not just for their perceived lack of strength in responding swiftly, but also for the fact that Nepali citizens are compelled to outmigrate for job opportunities. Recently, six Nepali citizens died fighting for the Russian army in the Russia-Ukraine war, and some have been reported as taken captive by Ukrainian forces. Many Nepali citizens are drawn to join various private army groups globally for employment opportunities.

While these instances represent literal war scenarios, the broader narrative involves a multitude of Nepali workers facing perilous conditions abroad, especially in West Asian countries. Their plight is no less than that in a battleground. The Nepali diaspora of about 2.2m bears witness to a growing trend of migration, primarily for jobs.

Since a majority of this workforce is unskilled, they have no option but to work in a precarious environment. The inherent link between job migration and national interest, as outlined in the charter, reveals a critical situation. Nepali citizens forced to seek opportunities abroad often face perilous conditions, prompting reflection on the state's responsibility in providing adequate employment domestically. The assertion that education is a non-traditional security concept gains traction as it becomes apparent that the state-provided formal education system does not cater to the needs of the society or the present job market. 

Examining the case of Nepali citizens migrating to Israel for work in agriculture underscores three dimensions of non-traditional security issues: Food security, acute dependency on other countries and a widening gap between societal needs and the workforce produced by the state. Despite having a significant agriculture-based economy, Nepal's import of food items worth over a billion dollars annually raises concerns about food security. According to the National Agricultural Census of 2021, the cultivated land has decreased by 300,000 hectares in the past decade, making it clear that a substantial portion of cultivable land has been lying fallow. Consequently, our citizens are seeking opportunities abroad as agricultural workers and students.

While bona fide defense systems address traditional security threats, there is a notable gap in tackling non-traditional security issues in Nepal. Citizens' distrust in the state, eroding self-respect and the well-being of those working abroad constitute security threats for Nepal. To address these challenges, Nepal must employ non-military strategies to bolster the population's capacity and build a resilient economy, with education curricula and the education system emerging as a plausible defense system.

Although no explicit references of countries designating education policy as part of their security policy has been found, resource-rich nations with vibrant economies prioritize research and feedback to shape education systems to align with the society and the economy. In the light of this, Nepali policymakers, educationists and security strategists should revisit the curricula. Considering education as a tool to defend Nepal's national interest and as an integral part of the national security policy could provide a forward-thinking solution to address the evolving challenges facing the nation.