EU announces support for ActionAid and civil society, launches COVID-19 impact mitigation programme
As part of the Team Europe response to the coronavirus pandemic globally, the European Union yesterday launched two projects under the EU COVID-19 Response and Recovery in Thailand programme with a total funding of about €2.6 million, or around 90 million baht. The programme aims to increase the capacity and participation of Thai civil society organisations (CSOs) in mitigating the health, social and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the most vulnerable populations of the country and will be implemented over the next two years by two CSO consortiums.
The EU COVID-19 Response and Recovery in Thailand programme has three key components: immediate relief for households impacted by the outbreak; a sustainable social and economic recovery through the improvement of the livelihood of affected communities; and building the communities’ resilience so that they can thrive and withstand future challenges.
“The COVID-19 pandemic will have profound consequences, in the short, medium and long terms. These range from immediate health and humanitarian challenges to more profound structural socio-economic change, which cannot yet even be fully understood”, said H.E. Pirkka Tapiola, Ambassador of the European Union to Thailand. “It is clear that concerted efforts to deal with the fallout of the pandemic will be needed by all actors. As a long-standing development partner of the Kingdom of Thailand, the European Union is committed to supporting our CSO partners in their efforts to mitigate the consequences of the COVID-19 crisis, to ensure that no one is left behind. I am very pleased with our co-operating in ensuring effective implementation of a number of new projects, for the benefit of vulnerable communities all around the Kingdom.”
The programme’s nationwide project will be led by ActionAid Thailand in collaboration with the Chumchon Thai Foundation, the Foundation for Labour and Employment Promotion (HOMENET) and the BioThai Foundation. The intervention will cover almost 40 provinces in Thailand and work with affected sectors including migrant and informal workers, marginalised populations and children, about half of whom are women.
“We have come together to assist a range of communities in Thailand and respond to their specific needs, both during and after the crisis. This action is a multi-sector response that includes preparedness for the uncertainty of what’s to come, a socioeconomic recovery in the short-to-medium term, and resilience measures for the most vulnerable marginalised communities,” said Mr. Tauhid Ibne Farid, Country Director of ActionAid Thailand.
Save the Children in partnership with Prince of Songkla University and the Prince of Songkla University Alumni Association Volunteer will spearhead the intervention in the three southern border provinces, plus four districts in Songkhla. The project will work with the most vulnerable households, youth groups and migrant returnees with a focus on women.
“A lot of the poorest and most vulnerable families in Thailand are at risk and still struggling to get back on their feet,” added Mr. Prasert Tepanart, Save the Children’s National Director in Thailand. “We must ensure that these communities become resilient and that individuals are prepared and self-sufficient to withstand, mitigate and prevent the impact of future health, economic and social crises.”
About European Union
The European Union (EU) is an economic and political union of 27 Member States. Together, they have built a zone of stability, democracy and sustainable development whilst maintaining cultural diversity, tolerance and individual freedom. In 2012, the EU was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for advancing the causes of peace, reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe. The EU is the largest trade block in the world, as well as the world's largest source and destination of foreign direct investment. Collectively, the EU and its Member States are the largest donor of Official Development Assistance (ODA), providing more than half of ODA globally.
Don’t cut women’s lifelines, warns ActionAid as gender-based violence surges worldwide during COVID-19
Global lockdowns and coronavirus restrictions have unleashed a shocking surge in gender-based violence (GBV) in countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America, as women’s shelters are shut down and countries divert funding to battle the pandemic.
New research by ActionAid, based on surveys of local support services and women’s movements worldwide, also found that domestic violence survivors with live legal cases were increasingly being forced to settle out of court, due to COVID-related court closures. This is increasing community tensions and damaging survivors’ ability to rebuild their lives.
ActionAid’s Country Director in Nigeria, Ene Obi, says: “We have never been more alarmed about the violence unleashed on women and girls than in recent times.
“Girls, women, young and old, are living in fear as they don’t even feel safe in their own homes. Due to the pandemic, arrest is no longer enough to serve as a deterrent, as most of these cases are being settled out of court. This means there is no real justice for the survivors and their families.”
Key findings from the report, Surviving COVID-19: A Women-Led Response show that:
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- In Bangladesh, ActionAid’s network of support services, including in the Rohingya refugee camps, found a tenfold (983%) increase in sexual and domestic violence this April to May, compared to the same period last year.
- In Brazil, 143 women were killed across 12 states in March and April this year and had a 22% increase in femicide compared to last year, according to data from security agencies. In the Northern State, Acre, femicide is up 300%.
- In Uganda, ActionAid was forced to temporarily shut down 10 of its shelters due to lockdown restrictions, even though the caseloads doubled in March and April 2020 during the outbreak, compared to the prior year.
- In the Gaza Strip, an ActionAid partner organisation reports supporting 700% more survivors of GBV through its counselling services this April-May than in 2019.
- In Italy, a review of more than 228 shelters saw the number of women who asked for support through the government’s anti-violence hotline increase by 59%.
- In Nigeria, where the government has declared a state of emergency following a sharp spike in cases of femicide and rape, one women’s shelter reported a 700% increase in cases of violence since lockdown. ActionAid is calling for a ban on bail and out of court settlements for these brutal cases, following 253 harrowing attacks documented since lockdown.
The persistent, yet predicable increased rape and murder of women, which happens in any emergency, remains the most ignored and underfunded part of the UN’s Global Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) for COVID-19. Less than 0.3% of the funding needed to protect women from violence has been committed.
Four years ago, at the inaugural World Humanitarian Summit, the world promised that 25% of humanitarian funding would go directly to local organisations, such as the women’s shelters featured in ActionAid’s new report. But the UN’s global plan for COVID-19 is way off track, with just 0.1% of funding going to local organisations.
Julia Sánchez, Secretary General of ActionAid International, said:
“COVID-19 is a health and economic crisis which has also unleashed a horrifying surge in femicide, rape and violence against women and girls. Our research shows this is a worldwide phenomenon, played out with shocking regularity and predictability, and is clearly under-reported.
“Governments, charities and donors worldwide must respond urgently, to scale up the pitiful levels of funding for women’s protection services and local organisations working on the frontline of the COVID–19 pandemic and indeed in all humanitarian crises and disasters.
“Two thirds of the world’s health workers are women, yet only a quarter of decision-making bodies for the pandemic are female .This explains why health research doesn’t monitor women’s specific needs and decisions are being made without women in mind, despite women bearing the brunt of the fallout.”
ActionAid’s report warns that the world is "sleepwalking into the shadow pandemic of global femicide". The organisation is calling for GBV services like women’s shelters and referral pathways to be classified as essential in all countries.
ActionAid is responding to the COVID-19 crisis in 40 countries around the world. Its frontline, women-led services have all reported increases in violence against women and girls since the start of the pandemic. More than 60% of its humanitarian funding goes to local organisations, the majority to women’s organisations.
Download the report Surviving COVID-19: A Women-Led Response
ActionAid International’s chair joins IMF advisory group
ActionAid International chair Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda will bring a global south perspective to a new external advisory group set up by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The 12-strong group announced on 10 April 2020 by Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the IMF, was brought together to provide different perspectives from around the globe on key development and policy issues, including how to respond to the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis.
At the group’s first meeting that same day, Nyaradzayi raised ActionAid’s concerns about the crippling affect that the new debt crisis is having on Africa. As cases of coronavirus increase across the continent, health systems are vastly underfunded and ill-prepared for the pandemic.
On 14 April, ActionAid launched a series of recommendations ahead of the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings, aimed at securing a cash injection to avert the looming threat of a health and economic emergency posed by COVID-19.
The members of the Managing Director’s External Advisory Group are:
Ms. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Finance Minister of Nigeria
Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Senior Minister of Singapore and Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore
Ms. Kristin Forbes, Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mr. Kevin Rudd, former Prime Minister of Australia
Lord Mark Malloch Brown, former United Nations Deputy Secretary-General
Mr. Feike Sijbesma, former Chief Executive Officer, Royal DSM
Mr. Raghuram Rajan, Professor, University of Chicago
Ms. Ana Botín, Group Executive Chairman, Santander
Ms. Carmen Reinhart, Professor, Harvard University
Mr. Mohamed A. El-Erian, Chief Economic Adviser, Allianz
Mr. Scott Minerd, Chief Investment Officer, Guggenheim Investments
Ms. Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, Board Chair, ActionAid International.
Kristalina Georgieva’s announcement can be read in full on the IMF website.
For more information contact Jenna Pudelek in the ActionAid press office on +44(0)7795642990 or email jenna.pudelek@actionaid.org.
ActionAid International welcomes Julia Sánchez as its new secretary general
Johannesburg, 21 January 2020 – Following a global selection process, the board of ActionAid International is pleased to announce that it has appointed Julia Sánchez as its next secretary general.
Julia has extensive experience in leadership positions in the international development sector, including many years of working in the Global South.
She was president-CEO of the Canadian Council for International Co-operation (CCIC) until 2018 and is currently chair of CIVICUS, the global alliance of civil society organisations and activists.
Julia has been promoting equity and sustainable development for over 25 years and, throughout her career, has demonstrated her commitment to feminist principles and to a human rights-based approach.
Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, chair of ActionAid International, says: “After a rigorous selection process, we are in no doubt that Julia is the right person to lead ActionAid at this crucial time. We know she will play a pivotal and effective role in the delivery and success of our strategy to 2028, Action for Global Justice.
“As we embark upon a new decade, the social challenges faced by many in the Global South are becoming more pronounced. This is already being acutely felt by women and girls fighting for economic rights and tax justice, particularly in the face of the climate crisis and the humanitarian emergencies that are intensifying as a result. We are confident that Julia’s leadership will galvanise the ActionAid International family to position ourselves for greater impact in achieving our mission.”
Julia Sánchez, who joins ActionAid International as secretary general in March, says:
“I am very excited to be joining ActionAid as its next Secretary General and to be moving to the organisation’s global headquarters in Johannesburg.
“For many years, I have been advocating for organised civil society to focus its efforts on supporting and promoting social movements and people’s organisations. ActionAid has been ahead of the curve in taking on this challenge, and I am motivated to work with staff and board members across the federation to realise the ambitious goals of its 2028 strategy.”
From 1 March 2020, Julia will succeed Anne Jellema, who has served as acting secretary general since the departure of Adriano Campolina in August 2019, following a five-year term leading the organisation.
“Together with the board, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Anne Jellema for serving as ActionAid International’s acting secretary general during this transition period and stewarding the organisation through key events such as the UN General Assembly and COP25,” adds Nyaradzayi.
Bio:
Julia Sánchez is a development practitioner, feminist and environmentalist who has been promoting equity and sustainable development for more than 25 years.
Born in Peru, Julia grew up in Latin and North America. A global citizen, she is trilingual and has lived and worked in numerous countries in the Americas, Asia and Africa.
Early in her career, Julia worked with a Canadian INGO for many years, first in Guatemala, then in Canada and finally as regional director for Asia based in Nepal. From 2009 to 2011, she was then national campaign coordinator with the global secretariat of the Global Campaign for Climate Action (GCCA) based out of Delhi. She was appointed as president-CEO of the Canadian Council for International Co-operation (CCIC) in 2011, a position she held until 2018. Subsequently, she ran as a federal candidate for the Canadian parliament in 2019 and just completed a research contract with the largest union in Canada, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), on privatisation of municipal services.
Julia has been a spokesperson for the Canadian and global international development community, advocating for progressive development policies and an enabling environment for civil society.
She has served on numerous Canadian and international boards and advisory bodies, including as co-chair of the CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness (CPDE) from 2016 to 2018. Julia is currently serving as the chair of CIVICUS and was previously treasurer from 2016 to 2019.
Julia has designed and managed programs in areas such as humanitarian assistance, reconstruction, governance, democratic development, community-based economic development, international volunteering and, more recently, campaigning on climate change.
She is an economist and political scientist, with a BA in Economics and Political Science and an MA in Economics, both from McGill University in Montreal, Canada.
For more information please contact Jenna Pudelek in the ActionAid International press office on +44 7795642990 or email jenna.pudelek@actionaid.org.
Run for small schools this holiday season with ActionAid Virtual Run 2019
ActionAid Virtual Run 2019 - Let's Run for Small Schools
We invite you to join our charity run for small schools, ActionAid Virtual Run 2019 - Let's Run for Small Schools. Unite as one to support small schools in remote areas to ensure the equal right to education of all Thai children.
Objectives
- To improve the capacity of teachers and educational personnel, equipping them with the teaching skills for 21st century learners.
- To support teachers in the “systematic classroom change” to become more responsive to children and their needs.
- To strengthen the networks of target small schools both at regional and provincial levels.
- To provide channels and space for small schools to engage in the policy and decision making process.
Event type
- Virtual Run: run or walk anytime and anywhere you would like.
Distance
- 10 kilometres
Application and result submission period
- 1 November to 31 December 2019 (until 11.59 PM of December 31, 2019 Bangkok time).
Packages
Get a 100-baht discount by applying via https://race.thai.run/ActionaidVirtualRun2019
*All packages are inclusive of domestic delivery. International shipping is 350 Thai baht.
Terms and condition
- Submit your result by 31 December 2019 to https://vr.thai.run/ActionaidVirtualRun2019
- Take a screenshot of your result on a mobile running application or a smart watch, or take a picture of your distance as appears on a treadmill display.
- When you have collected 10 kilometers, you will receive a medal and other souvenirs in the package you have chosen when applying for the event.
Package delivery
- Running packages will be delivered after the end of the event by January 2020 according to the order of distance submissions respectively.
- Charity gift packages (running not included) will be delivered after the end of the event by January 2020 according to the payment order respectively.
For more information and inquiries about ActionAid Virtual Run 2019
Call 02-279-6601 to 2 ext. 102 (Ms. Wannisa) or ext. 110 (Ms. Kanchana).
Press Forum: Ending the Age of Fossil Fuels
Bangkok, 5 September 2019 - “We are facing a planetary emergency and must end the age of fossil fuels as swiftly as possible, and transform our economics profoundly.”
Thus stated Lidy Nacpil, coordinator of the Asian People’s Movement on Debt and Development, a regional alliance of organizations and movements, in Bangkok for activities around the Asia Pacific Climate Week. In a press forum on 5 September at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT), Nacpil said “the burning of coal and other fossil fuels and the destruction of nature in a system of relentless and ever-increasing extraction and production for profit is the root cause of excessive greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere. This in turn is causing the climate crisis.”
Harjeet Singh, global lead on climate change for ActionAid says: “Just 100 fossil fuel producers are responsible for 71% of the harmful greenhouse gas emissions causing global warming since 1988.
“After decades of inaction by governments and polluting industries, millions of people’s lives and livelihoods are already being devastated by extreme weather, food insecurity and rising sea levels.
“Our research shows that ending state subsidies for fossil fuels and introducing progressive taxes on fossil fuel companies, would provide the $300 billion needed by 2030 for countries to adapt to, and repair the loss and damage caused by climate change.
“Those most responsible for fuel the climate crisis must take responsibility and commit to solutions that protect the rights of those most at risk.”
The work of various communities in Thailand was discussed by Nanticha Ocharoenchai, of Climate Strike Thailand. “Even at 1.5°C increase in global temperature can lead to more frequent extreme weather events, longer drought spells, sea level rise, disruption of food production cycles, displacement and migration of vulnerable communities, among others. This is why we are holding public actions, strikes, working on other sources of energy.”
Yuki Tanabe of Japan Center for a Sustainable Environment and Society (JACSES) focused on the campaign to stop coal financing to “Dirty Companies” like Japanese coal developers that pledged to stop coal projects but continue to support supercritical coal plants under the illusion that the new technologies mean clean energy. “This is an illusion of safety when, in fact, we remain in big trouble. Corporations and their financial backers are perpetuating a lie about new technologies to continue their profits. They turn a blind eye to the bigger costs in people’s lives and the impacts on
the climate.”
Norwegian environmentalists are calling for a halt of oil extraction in Norway and a just transition. “If we are to uphold the Paris Agreement and limit global warming to 1.5°C, oil exploration must come to a halt. We cannot keep exploring for oil and expanding oil extraction while others pay the price. Norway as an oil producing country have a moral obligation to move away from fossil fuel as climate change is already affecting developing countries. While Norway is extracting oil further and further north others are being hit by extreme weather making life impossible turning innocent people into climate refugees. We are hoping that the coming Climate Lawsuit will force the Norwegian government to take the global responsibility they are thus far are refusing to acknowledge and take,” said Tonje Justsen Sæther of the
Young Friends of the Earth Europe or YFOEE.
Fenton Lutunatabua of 350.org Asia called on the broadest possible participation to the Global Climate Strike on September 20-27. “We are making history with youth, their parents, workers, farmers, environmentalists, artists, academia among others coming together to demand climate justice now. This planetary emergency demands
that we stand together for change.”
Joao Camargo, Climaximo Portugal, provided a background to massive mobilizations in Portugal to demand climate justice. “Not acting on climate warming is a crime. This emergency is leading to the extinction of species and communities. We have 10 years to win everything and we intend to.”
Mobilizations for climate justice are expected across hundreds of cities and towns. Many of the actions to be organized by APMDD call for an end to coal, the most carbon intensive of fossil fuels.
Nathan Thanki, Global Campaign To demand Climate Justice (DCJ) moderated the forum organized by the Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development, ActionAid International, Asia Europe Peoples’ Forum, Asia Energy Network and the Global Campaign to Demand Climate Justice.
For more information, please get in touch with Malou Tabios Nuera at mltabios@gmail.com
Tackle Thailand’s land rights crisis at Land is Life Expo
Celebrating the 44th year of Farmers Union of Thailand, People’s Movement for a Just Society (P-Move), together with ActionAid Thailand, the European Union, and various civil society organisations, is set to host “Land is Life Expo: Overcoming Thailand’s Land Rights Crisis” on Saturday-Sunday, 17-18 November at Thammasat University, Tha Phra Chan Campus.
With talks, panel discussions, and exhibitions, the expo aims to address and resolve Thailand’s land insecurity issues on local and policy levels, providing a platform for communities to present their measures of change in policy and law to the government in order to guarantee Thai people’s access to land as a fundamental source of livelihood and to reduce socioeconomic disparity.
This event is open to the public with free admission. Register here: http://bit.ly/2Opfrix
At the expo, you can expect:
- An overview of Thailand’s current land rights situation and issues.
- The history of Farmers Union of Thailand and their struggles.
- A rundown of mobilisation activities for farming and residential land ownership across Thailand.
- A proposal of policy change to resolve land issues.
- Performances from folk rock bands Caravan and Hope Family, and local community artists.
- “Thai Land” discussions on:
- Public land for public good;
- Land owned by Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO);
- Land in the National Reserve Forest and National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation;
- Landless ethnic groups;
- Urban land and residential areas and;
- Impacts and land damage caused by disasters.
Discussion panels on community land title policy, land banking policy, and public policy on land and impacts in the Thai Eastern Economic Corridor (ECC).
For updates on the event, follow Land is Life on Facebook.
