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Afghanistan earthquake : Over 2,000 Dead, Villagers and Aid Workers Scramble to Find Survivors Amidst Rubble

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Herat, Afghanistan — The aftermath of one of the deadliest earthquakes in Afghanistan’s history continues to grip the nation as rescuers and villagers persistently dig through the rubble in western Herat province, desperately clinging to hope that survivors may still be found, three days after the devastating 6.3 magnitude quake struck the region.

In the city of Herat and across the province, people are grappling with the heartbreaking task of digging graves for loved ones who perished in the earthquake. In the Zinda Jan district, a bulldozer clears earth to create space for a long row of graves as volunteers join forces with locals to help in any way they can.

Mir Agha, a resident of Herat, expressed the emotional toll of the situation, stating, “It is very difficult to find a family member from a destroyed house and a few minutes later bury him or her in a nearby grave, again under the ground.”

The earthquake’s epicenter was approximately 40 kilometers northwest of Herat’s provincial capital. While the exact number of casualties remains difficult to ascertain, Afghan Taliban government’s national disaster authority spokesman Janan Sayiq acknowledged that the quake killed and injured thousands. Earlier reports from Taliban officials indicated more than 2,000 casualties across Herat.

The United Nations reports that the Zinda Jan district suffered the most severe devastation, with 1,294 fatalities and 1,688 injuries. Additionally, 485 individuals, including 191 men and 294 women, remain unaccounted for. The disaster also led to the destruction of six schools in the region.

Nearly 2,000 houses in 20 villages have been reduced to rubble, leaving the affected area with just one government-run hospital. As winter approaches, the situation is expected to worsen, making it even more challenging for people to access basic necessities, including shelter, food, and medicine, as aid organizations have warned.

Foreign aid has been slow to arrive in Herat, possibly due to international reservations regarding the Taliban-led government. However, Pakistan has pledged support in the form of blankets, tents, and medicines, and China is reported to have offered cash and other emergency humanitarian assistance.

Despite global distractions, such as the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, foreign governments have pledged to work with local aid agencies to assist with rescue and recovery efforts. Afghan citizens have also launched fundraising campaigns to provide aid.

In a statement, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies called on the media to focus attention on Afghanistan’s plight. The statement emphasized the importance of highlighting the Afghan people’s untold stories of resilience and need. The organization’s spokesperson, Tommaso Della Longa, stated, “Afghanistan needs you now, more than ever. Please, let’s not add ‘forgotten’ to the long list of tragedies that this resilient nation has already endured.”

The Taliban’s justice ministry has called upon national and international charity foundations, businesses, and the Afghan community to unite and gather aid for the province as the nation rallies to support those affected by this devastating earthquake.

South Asia’s Growth Remains Resilient but Below Pre-Pandemic Levels, World Bank Reports

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Kathmandu – Despite facing economic challenges, South Asia continues to exhibit robust growth compared to other regions, according to a recent report from the World Bank. However, this growth remains below the pre-pandemic average, signaling a need for sustained efforts in economic recovery.

Growth in South Asia

The report projects that output growth in South Asia, represented by seven countries in the region, will remain stronger than in other emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs). Nevertheless, it falls short of reaching pre-pandemic levels. The findings suggest that while South Asia is on the path to recovery, more concerted efforts are required to regain the economic momentum experienced prior to the global health crisis.

Government Debt

One concerning trend highlighted in the report is the increase in government debt in South Asian countries since 2010. On average, these nations have seen a faster rise in government debt compared to the average EMDE. This underscores the importance of fiscal discipline and prudent economic management to ensure long-term economic stability.

Change in Fiscal Outcomes around Elections

The report also delves into the fiscal outcomes around elections in South Asia. It reveals that primary fiscal deficits and spending tend to rise around election periods. Importantly, these increases often persist beyond the election year, posing challenges for fiscal sustainability. The findings underscore the need for responsible fiscal policies that mitigate the adverse effects of election-induced spending increases.

Adoption of Energy-Efficient Technologies

In the realm of technology adoption, South Asian firms have been early adopters of basic technologies but lag behind in embracing more advanced energy-efficient technologies. The report highlights the importance of fostering innovation and encouraging the adoption of environmentally friendly technologies to promote sustainable economic growth.

Actual and Perceived Energy Savings by Firms

A significant revelation from the report is that firms tend to underestimate the energy-saving benefits of new technologies. This suggests that there is potential for greater energy efficiency in South Asian industries if businesses become aware of the true benefits of adopting advanced technologies.

Green and Pollution-Intensive Jobs in South Asia

The report also sheds light on the job landscape in South Asia, revealing that in all countries in the region except India, pollution-intensive jobs outnumber green jobs. These pollution-intensive roles account for a significant percentage of all jobs, emphasizing the importance of addressing environmental concerns while promoting employment opportunities.

In conclusion, the World Bank’s report highlights both the resilience and challenges facing South Asia’s economic growth. While the region continues to outperform other emerging economies, it is essential to address rising government debt, manage fiscal outcomes around elections, encourage technology adoption, and promote environmentally friendly job opportunities to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for South Asia.

UNICEF Report Reveals Alarming Increase in Child Displacements Due to Extreme Weather Events

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New York – A recent United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report has shed light on the growing crisis of child displacements caused by extreme weather events. Between 2016 and 2021, more than 43 million children were forced to leave their homes due to storms, floods, fires, and other climate-related disasters, according to the UN report.

The report, released on Friday, predicts an even more dire future, estimating that over the next three decades, more than 113 million children will be displaced due to the escalating risks posed by climate change, including flooding rivers, cyclonic winds, and post-storm floods.

One such example is 10-year-old Shukri Mohamed Ibrahim, who, along with her family, left their home in Somalia five months ago. The region suffered from the worst drought in over half a century, rendering once-fertile pastures barren and forcing families like Ibrahim’s to seek refuge in makeshift camps in the capital, Mogadishu. While Ibrahim’s dream of becoming a doctor has led her to a school in the camp, the conditions are far from ideal, lacking proper shelter, sanitation, and adequate food.

The report also highlights the underreporting of long-lasting disasters like droughts. In the years covered by the report, at least 1.3 million children had to leave their homes due to drought, with more than half of them in Somalia. However, this figure is likely an undercount as there are no preemptive evacuations during droughts, unlike during floods or storms.

Climate change has already left millions of people homeless worldwide, with rising seas eroding coastlines, storms impacting megacities, and droughts worsening conflicts. However, despite the intensifying catastrophes, the world has yet to recognize climate migrants and establish formal mechanisms for their protection.

“The reality is that far more children are going to be impacted in the future, as the impacts of climate change continue to intensify,” warns Laura Healy, a migration specialist at UNICEF and one of the report’s authors.

The report reveals that nearly a third of the 134 million displacements caused by extreme weather events between 2016-2021 involved children. Nearly half of these displacements were due to storms, with nearly 4 out of every 10 storm-related displacements occurring in the Philippines. Floods displaced more than 19 million children in places like India and China, while wildfires affected children 810,000 times in the U.S. and Canada.

Data tracking migrations due to weather extremes typically do not differentiate between children and adults. UNICEF collaborated with the Geneva-based non-profit International Displacement Monitoring Centre to map the regions where children were most affected.

Countries like the Philippines, India, and China, with their large populations and robust evacuation systems, accounted for nearly half of child displacements caused by climate hazards. However, on average, children living in vulnerable regions like the Horn of Africa and small Caribbean islands face heightened risks due to “overlapping crises” where climate risks compound with conflict, fragile institutions, and poverty.

The act of leaving home subjects children to additional risks. During the unprecedented flooding of the Yamuna River in New Delhi in July, 10-year-old Garima Kumar’s family lost their hut, along with her school uniform and books, leaving her without a home and causing her to miss a month of school.

China releases white paper on Belt and Road cooperation

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BEIJING : China’s State Council Information Office on Tuesday released a white paper titled “The Belt and Road Initiative: A Key Pillar of the Global Community of Shared Future.”

The white paper will give the international community a better understanding of the value of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), facilitate high-quality cooperation under it, and ultimately deliver benefits to more countries and peoples.

Since its launch, the Belt and Road Initiative has evolved from ideas into actions, from a vision into reality, and from a general framework into concrete projects. It has been welcomed by the international community both as a public good and a cooperation platform.

Over the past decade, BRI cooperation has delivered real gains to participating countries. It has contributed to the sound development of economic globalization and helped to resolve global development challenges and improve the global governance system.

It has also opened up a new path for all humanity to realize modernization, and ensured that the efforts of building a global community of shared future are delivering real results, the white paper said.

Looking forward, China stands ready to work with other countries to pursue closer and more fruitful cooperation under the BRI framework, implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, and build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity.  (Xinhua)

Supporting Nepal’s candidate for Regional Director of WHO-SEARO

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Kathmandu: Prominent figures in Nepal have expressed their support for Dr Shambhu Acharya as the candidate for the position of Regional Director of the World Health Organization’s Southeast Asia Regional Office (SEARO).

During a press conference held in Kathmandu on Sunday, eminent individuals warmly embraced the Nepali government’s nomination of Dr Acharya for the prestigious role of regional director for WHO’s Southeast Asia region.

In a joint statement, they emphasized the importance of a transparent selection process to ensure that a highly qualified and deserving candidate is chosen for this crucial position.

Several highly respected global health journals,such as The Lancet, the British MedicalJournal  and others have highlighted the importance of the WHO-SEARO Regional Director’s position and called for the appointment of a suitably qualified candidate for the post. Dr. Acharya has been acknowledged by many global health professionals and leaders as the most qualifiedcandidate for this crucial position, even beyond the present contest.

“In contrast, the only other candidate in competition for the position is regarded by the public health and medical fraternity as apolitical protégé with a privileged pedigreewhose thin resumé  is not adequate to lead a complex global health institution such as WHO-SEARO. The unabashed, high-profile lobbying at senior most political levels, aided by a mother’s access to global leaders at unrelated summits and conclaves, has generated cautionary commentary not only inpublic health circles but also in journals ofrenown and credible international media,” the joint statement said.

In the current post-Covid public health environment with its numerous challenges, including those related to income disparities, climate crisis, and the potential surge of new vectors with potential for great destruction, UNleaders steering health issues must have strongcredentials and  proven dynamism, the statement said.

“Because Dr. Acharya achieving the positionof Regional Director would be beneficial forour  entire region, we believe the Government of Nepal must redouble efforts among concerned governments of the region in favour of his outstanding candidacy. Further, we demand a transparent election process so that the better qualified candidate is elected to this important position,” the statement said.

Need for a capable leadership

The eminent personalities also underscored the vital significance of the Regional Director’s role in safeguarding the future health and well-being of the hundreds of millions of people residing in South and South East Asia region. They have emphasised on the need for capable leadership within the WHO to effectively address and monitor numerous medical and public health challenges facing the region.

The organisation’s 11 member countries—Nepal, India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, DPR Korea, the Maldives, Timor Leste, Indonesia and Thailand—will nominate the organization’s next regional director through a closed-door SEARO session set to be held between October 30 and November 2.

Nepal and Bangladesh have fielded candidates for the post. Acharya is the senior-most official of the WHO while another candidate Saima Wazed is the daughter of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

“It is obvious to us that Dr. Acharya is the better fit between the two candidates nominated for the position. He possesses a very strong public health background and has extensive leadership experience in tackling global health issues. Dr. Acharya has impeccable credentials with a PhD in public health, specialising in health policy and planning from a globally renowned university; a Masters in Sociology focusing on social policy; and an MBA in public finance and strategic management,” they said.

Dr. Acharya knows the public health and medical challenges of our region intimately, having worked for three decades strengthening responses at local, national, regional and global levels, including in Nepal, Bangladesh and India, apart from his responsibilities at WHO headquarters in Geneva. Dr. Acharya managed large-scale World Bank-funded projects in health and population in Bangladesh and played a key role in establishing the Asia-Pacific Health Economics Network to build the health financing capacity of WHO member states, the statement reads.

Working directly with the Director-General WHO, Dr. Acharya has been part of high-level policy and strategy decisions, which have also included interactions with heads of government, ministers, and health professionals all over the Asian continent. Dr Acharya has represented WHO in various UN bodies advocating for universal health coverage within the broader UN development agenda. Most recently, Dr Acharya played a central role in ensuring that WHO was effective in response to the COVID-19 crisis in the most seriously affected countries.

Signatories in the joint statement include former minister and ambassador Nilamber Acharya; former assistant secretary general and deputy executive director at UNICEF Kul Chandra Gautam; Professor Rita Thapa, who was instrumental in Nepal’s Primary Health Care; Dr Bhagwan Koirala, chairman of Nepal Medical Council; Dr Naresh Pratap KC, Executive Director of Family Planning Association of Nepal; Professor Madhu Dixit, former Associate Dean at the Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University; Dr Sudha Sharma, former Health Secretary; Bishow Parajuli, former UNDP resident coordinator; and Dr Badri Pande, a public health expert.

(All pics by Bikas Rauniar)

Nepali Students Among Casualties as Hamas Invades Israel, Escalating Conflict

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London— In a shocking turn of events, at least 10 Nepali students have tragically lost their lives in the recent Hamas invasion of Israel. This harrowing incident unfolded on Saturday, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. An official from the Nepal Embassy in Israel confirmed this grim news on Sunday, dispelling earlier reports of some Nepali students being unaccounted for in the aftermath of the Hamas attack in southern Israel.

The Nepal Embassy official revealed, “Around 10 Nepali students have fallen victim to the ongoing turmoil in Israel,” as reported by news agency ANI.

The invasion, carried out by Hamas militants, has taken a heavy toll on both Israelis and Palestinians. Since Saturday, more than 600 Israelis have lost their lives in the surprise attack, with approximately 2,000 people sustaining injuries. Heartbreakingly, among the casualties are women and children, with around 100 individuals being held hostage by the Hamas militants.

Israel has declared a state of war in response to the invasion, launching retaliatory strikes on Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed “mighty vengeance” in the face of what he has deemed a “black day” for the nation.

On that fateful Saturday morning, Israelis were jolted awake by blaring sirens as Hamas, an Iran-backed Islamist militant group, unleashed a barrage of approximately 5,000 rockets from the Gaza Strip towards Israel. Remarkably, Israel’s Iron Dome, a renowned air-defense system, intercepted the majority of these rockets, minimizing the damage inflicted.

However, the rocket onslaught caught Israel off guard, and before they could fully grasp the situation, hundreds of heavily armed Hamas militants descended from various directions. Some arrived in SUVs, motorcycles, and trucks via the Gaza border, while others used aerial means, including paragliding into southern Israel. In a chilling similarity to the 26/11 Mumbai attack, one group even employed a sea route, entering the city by boat.

Responding swiftly, the Israeli military initiated “Operation Iron Swords” to regain control of the invaded areas. Retaliatory air strikes targeted Hamas strongholds in the Gaza Strip.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) provided insights into their counteroffensive, detailing several operational activities in Gaza in response to Hamas’s brutal terrorist offensive. These operations included airstrikes on concealed launch sites and terrorists in close proximity. Additionally, air raids struck operational situation rooms located within mosques used by Hamas in Gaza.

Thus far, Israel has decimated numerous Hamas targets and reportedly eliminated approximately 400 Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip. As Israel intensifies its efforts to dismantle Hamas, civilians in Gaza have been urged to evacuate their homes in anticipation of further escalations in this ongoing conflict.

Nepal’s Gautam Buddha International Airport Faces Tourist Woes Amidst India-China Tensions

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Kathmandu — Nepal’s highly anticipated Gautam Buddha International Airport, located in Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, was expected to usher in a tourism boom, but a year after its opening, it is struggling to attract international visitors. The stunning bright orange hotel that offers breathtaking mountain views stands mostly empty, leaving its owner, Bishnu Sharma, in financial distress.

The government invested a significant $76 million to build the airport, aiming to boost tourism in the region. Lumbini witnessed nearly a million visitors in 2022, primarily from domestic tourists, with a minority arriving from neighboring India. The airport aimed to make it easier for international travelers to reach Lumbini directly instead of the arduous 250-kilometer overland journey from Kathmandu.

However, the expected influx of tourists has not materialized, partly due to a lack of early promotion and incentives for international airlines. Bishnu Sharma, owner of the Star Holiday Hotel in Lumbini, expressed his concerns, stating that his hotel is now two-thirds empty, and he is struggling to repay his loans.

Travel industry experts emphasize that the key to attracting more international visitors lies in the operation of regular scheduled international flights from Bhairahawa Airport. However, a significant roadblock exists, as Indian authorities have refused to allow large passenger planes to traverse their airspace, preventing direct flights to Gautam Buddha Airport. Access to Indian airspace would reduce flight costs and duration significantly.

Some in Nepal speculate that India’s reluctance is tied to the airport’s construction by China’s Northwest Civil Aviation Airport and its proximity to the India-Nepal border, where tensions have flared in recent years. The border dispute between India and China, coupled with growing political tensions between the leaders of both nations, has further complicated the situation.

The Gautam Buddha Airport was conceived as part of Nepal’s plan to alleviate congestion at Kathmandu Airport, the country’s primary international gateway. However, it has struggled to attract international flights, much like Pokhara International Airport, which also faces similar challenges. Pokhara Airport, constructed with a $215 million loan from China, has seen limited international traffic since its opening in January.

Currently, the combined traffic at Gautam Buddha and Pokhara airports consists mainly of domestic flights. Aviation experts argue that the terminals require a substantial influx of international travelers to remain financially viable.

Tri Ratna Manandhar, former director-general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, stressed the importance of international flights and called for proactive diplomacy to persuade countries like India to open their airspace to commercial flights destined for Nepal.

While Nepal Airlines has recently launched a weekly flight from Bhairahawa to Kuala Lumpur, signaling potential opportunities, the country’s Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sudan Kiranti, remains optimistic about resolving the airspace issue with India through dialogue.

The fate of Nepal’s ambitious plan to boost tourism through its newly built airports now hinges on diplomatic efforts and cooperation from neighboring countries, as the picturesque region continues to wait for the influx of tourists it had hoped for. ( Input form BBC and agencies)

Over 5,000 Sri Lankans left for S. Korea for jobs so far this year

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COLOMBO — The number of Sri Lankan workers departing for South Korea so far this year has surpassed 5,000, growing by 44 percent compared to the previous year, a minister said on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka’s Minister of Labor and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara said on social media that the figure showed the country’s commitment to enhancing employment prospects.

During a discussion with Nanayakkara in April, the director of the South Korean human resources department based in Sri Lanka agreed to provide 8,000 job opportunities for Sri Lankans in South Korea this year, exceeding the job quota of 6,500 offered earlier, local media reported.

This year, Sri Lankan workers’ remittance in August surpassed 499 million U.S. dollars, and the cumulative figure for the January-August period was around 3.9 billion dollars, a 74.4 percent increase compared with the same period in 2022, according to official data.

Workers’ remittance is one of main sources of foreign revenues for Sri Lanka. (Xinhua)

South Asia Leads Global Growth, But Challenges Persist, Says World Bank

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Dhaka — South Asia is poised to outpace all other global regions in economic growth this year, with the World Bank forecasting a robust growth rate of 5.8 percent. This optimistic projection comes amid contrasting gloomy outlooks for China and East Asia, where growth rates are expected to be some of the slowest in five decades.

Key Factors Driving South Asia’s Growth

Franziska Ohnsorge, the World Bank’s chief economist for South Asia, points to several factors underpinning the region’s impressive growth prospects:

  1. Demographic Dividend: South Asia boasts a youthful and expanding workforce, a demographic advantage that contributes to economic growth.
  2. Catch-Up Potential: The region has ample room for economic catch-up, enabling it to grow at a faster pace.

However, Ohnsorge issues a cautionary note, stating that the growth in South Asia, while strong, may not be sufficient to meet governments’ ambitious targets of achieving high-income status within a generation. Currently, per capita income in South Asian countries averages around $2,000, only 1/12th of high-income nations. To reach high-income status, South Asian nations would need to maintain average annual growth rates of at least 8 percent over several decades.

Challenges on the Horizon

Ohnsorge highlights several challenges that South Asia must address:

  1. Private Investment: South Asian countries must do more to stimulate private investment and generate employment opportunities for their growing populations.
  2. Vulnerabilities: The region faces vulnerabilities such as climate change, weaker global demand, and high levels of debt.

Despite these challenges, Ohnsorge remains optimistic about South Asia’s potential for growth. The region possesses competitive advantages, including its youthful workforce, expanding middle class, and strategic geographic location.

“If South Asian countries can continue to implement reforms and attract investment, they can achieve their development goals,” she asserts.

This optimistic outlook serves as a reminder of South Asia’s economic potential and the importance of proactive measures to harness it. While hurdles exist, the region’s young population and favorable demographics present opportunities for sustainable growth and development.

Nepal’s Economy Poised for Recovery, World Bank Projects Growth

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Kathmandu — In a recent report titled “Nepal Development Update: Restoring Export Competitiveness,” the World Bank has forecasted a promising economic rebound for Nepal. The country is expected to experience a 3.9 percent growth in fiscal year 2024, primarily attributed to several key factors.

Factors Driving Nepal’s Economic Rebound

  1. Delayed Effects of Import Restrictions: The lifting of import restrictions is beginning to yield positive effects on Nepal’s economy.
  2. Tourism Recovery: The gradual recovery of the tourism sector, a vital contributor to Nepal’s economy, is boosting economic prospects.
  3. Easing Monetary Policies: The gradual relaxation of monetary policies is supporting economic growth.

Projections for Fiscal Year 2025

Looking ahead, the World Bank anticipates even stronger growth for Nepal in fiscal year 2025, with a projected growth rate of 5 percent.

Risks to the Economic Outlook

Despite the positive outlook, the report highlights several risks that could impact Nepal’s economic trajectory. These risks include:

  1. Erratic Monsoon: An unpredictable monsoon could hinder agricultural growth.
  2. Commodity Prices and Export Bans: A resurgence in commodity prices or continued export bans on food products by India could lead to price increases.
  3. Inflation: Rising inflation could result in higher policy rates, increased domestic debt servicing costs, and potentially slow down growth.

Addressing Export Competitiveness

The report also emphasizes the need for Nepal to enhance its external competitiveness, as its exports currently account for only 6.9 percent of GDP, lagging behind other South Asian middle-income countries. The analysis attributes this lag to factors such as real exchange rate appreciation and low labor productivity across all sectors.

Green and Resilient Development Vision

Faris Hadad-Zervos, World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, commended Nepal’s efforts in pursuing a green, resilient, and inclusive development vision to drive long-term economic recovery. He stressed the importance of improving external competitiveness through reforms aimed at boosting domestic productivity and reducing inflation differentials with trading partners.

South Asia’s Economic Outlook

The report also provides insights into South Asia’s economic prospects. While the region is expected to grow at 5.8 percent, surpassing other developing regions, it remains slower than its pre-pandemic pace and falls short of meeting development goals. Downside risks include fiscal vulnerabilities due to high government debt levels and the potential impact of China’s economic growth slowdown and climate change-induced natural disasters.

Economic Growth in South Asian Countries

The World Bank’s projections for South Asian countries in terms of economic growth for 2024 are as follows:

  • India: 6.3 percent
  • Bangladesh: 5.6 percent
  • Maldives: 5.2 percent
  • Bhutan: 4 percent
  • Sri Lanka: 1.7 percent
  • Pakistan: 1.7 percent

These projections offer valuable insights into the economic landscape of Nepal and South Asia, as the region strives to overcome challenges and achieve sustainable growth.

WHO Regional election sparks controversy on Merit vs Nepotism

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By Our Staff Reporter

London — With less than four weeks left to elect a new Regional Director for the WHO South East Asia Regional Office (SEARO), the choice before the voting member countries could not be clearer.

So far, there are only two candidates in the fray. Dr Shambhu Acharya, from Nepal, is competing againstthe Bangaldeshi candidate, Saima Wazed Hossain. 

A public health veteran, Dr Acharya holds a PhD in public health and has over three decades of experience of working with the WHO in various capacities around the world. He was instrumental in developing health systems at the local, national, and regional levels in many low and middle income countries in the fields of maternity and child health, family planning, population, infectious and non-communicable diseases. He also led World Bank-funded health and population programs in Bangladesh and helped establish the WHO Asia-Pacific Health Economics Network. 

In his manifesto, Acharya has accorded top priority to health promotion, disease and injury prevention, and planetary health, by addressing their root causesin the WHO South East Asia Region. 

“The Region’s investments in health have been increasing, exemplified by India’s efforts to bolster health programs. Thailand’s universal healthcare is also commendable. To leverage economic growth, my priority is twofold: first, promoting health investment as an asset, not just an expense, focusing on human capital development,” said Dr Acharya in a recent interview. “Secondly, fostering international partnerships with organizations like the Global Fund, the development banks on climate-focused initiatives. Collaborative investments can bring substantial value to healthcare, helping overcome resource limitations.”


The Bangladeshi candidate, Saima Wazed, doesn’t have any public health degree. Since 2019, she has been an adviser to WHO’s Director General on mental health and autism. She is a Bangaldeshi-Canadian citizen, and has worked as a school psychologist in Florida, United States.

Her manifesto fails to address major public health issues facing the region, observers say.

Interestingly, Saima is the daughter of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Quite predictably,Prime Minister Hasina seems to be leaving no stone unturned to get her daughter elected to the coveted post – that will oversee the public health priorities of nearly two billion people.

Early this year, in a letter to the Lancet – the world’s top medical journal – a group of public health experts called for greater transparency in WHO elections, including public debates rather than closed sessions to choose a new Regional Director. Financial Times, the London-based newspaper, quoted an unnamed senior health policy worker in Bangladesh saying that  Ms Wazed’s nomination showed the politicisation of country’s health sector. 

“She came from a political family and her mother is prime minister. Every single work that she does is highlighted by the government.”

Prime Minister Hasina took her daughter to regional meetings of BRICS, ASEAN and recently the G-20 summit in Delhi where Bangladesh was one of the invitees. Ms Saima tweeted her photo with US President Biden, herself and her mother.

‘Crossing the Fine Line’

Dr Mukesh Kapila, who has worked in over 100 countries, as a physician and public health specialist, recently wrote that being introduced by her mother at recent high-level summits such as BRICS, ASEAN, G20 and the UN General Assembly to craft deals in exchange for votes may be seen as crossing the fine line between a government’s legitimate lobbying for its candidate and craven nepotism. “Intense political pressure from Bangladesh appears to have dissuaded good competitors from within Bangladesh and other countries. Nepal is now under intensified pressure to withdraw its nominee and allow Wazed to be anointed unopposed,” he added.

As the campaign to garner support from member states enters the last phase, articles supporting Bangladeshi candidate are also appearing in the media. One Prof Quazi M Islam has argued that it is a sovereign right of any member state to nominate a candidate of their choice. 

“There could be several other talent pools in Nepal from which the government could have nominated,” he said, insinuating that the candidate from Nepal also may not be the most deserving one.

Nepali officials, however, insist that Nepal government had short-listed Dr Acharya for nomination from a larger list of candidates for the post. Three successive governments from different political backgrounds upheld his candidacy. Given his vast experience in health policy finance, programme management and wide range of public health experience, Dr Acharya was an obvious choice. “We believe that our candidate is far superior to the Bangladeshi candidate in terms of experience, vision and competency,” they said.

Interestingly, Prof Islam claimed that “WHO does not need hardcore technocrats but require politicians who can listen to advisors, make decisions based on evidence and recruit people fairly to achieve the vision and mission.” Some Bangladeshi media reports are, meanwhile, claiming that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is also projecting her daughter as her future political successor.

Nepotism and favoritism is not new in South Asia, where rulers usually tend to promote people usually on the basis of their lineage or loyalty. But to lead an important post like Regional Director, WHO SEARO, member states are expected to choose a candidate who knows public health issues affecting the region by heart and is all set to hit the ground running. The choice is but obvious – Nepotism vs Merit. 

The member states of WHO SEARO would do well by promoting merit in the WHO rather than rewarding nepotism.

Professor Mark Liechty awarded Prof Subedi Prize 2023

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London – The Royal Asiatic Society has announced that Prof Mark Liechty has been awarded the first Prof Surya Subedi Prize which is awarded to Professor Mark Liechty for his book “What Went Right” (Amazon link), subtitled: “sustainability versus dependence in Nepal’s hydropower development”.

The judges were unanimous in there decision, noting that the book is exceptionally well written as well as diligently researched, a press statement issued by the Society said.  “It tells a story -that of the long and patiently determined career of Odd Hoftun who emerges as a development hero – and holds the interest of a non-specialist. Although its focus is hydropower development, it has much resonance into all sectors of development and beyond.  It would be valuable reading for anyone in any sector seeking to make a sustainable difference in Nepal,” the judges said.

Mark Liechty is a South Asianist with research specialization in the modern culture and history of Nepal. He is a Professor in the departments of Anthropology and History at the University of Illinois at Chicago, USA. His teaching focuses on world history, South Asian colonial history, culture theory, youth culture, and cultures of the body. Liechty’s research has been supported by various organizations including several Fulbright research awards and a recent Fulbright “Senior Specialist” grant for Nepal.

His first three books (Princeton University Press 2003, Martin Chautari Press 2010, School for Advanced Research Press 2012) dealt with aspects of the emergence of a middle-class consumer culture in Kathmandu. His 2017 book on Western countercultural longing and the history of tourism in Nepal (Far Out: Countercultural Seekers and the Tourism Encounter in Nepal, University of Chicago Press) won the 2017 Kekoo Naoroji Book Award for Himalayan Literature and the 2019 Edward Bruner Book Prize from the American Anthropological Association.

As part of his application to the prize, Prof Liechty wrote an introduction to his work in What Went Right, which gives a good overview of the book:

What Went Right explores why Nepal’s hydropower sector is one the country’s few development success stories. Unlike almost every other “developing” country, in Nepal local firms design and build complex hydropower facilities using Nepali engineers, contractors, components, and labour. Nepal has largely avoided the trap whereby most poor countries are forced to accept energy infrastructure projects that are foreign designed, funded, and built—typically resulting in debt, dependency, and unsustainability. As a whole, Nepal has no other industrial sector that even comes close to the success of its hydropower industry.

The book examines the history of Nepal’s hydropower sector to ask why it is the conspicuous exception to the rule of Nepal’s woeful underdevelopment. The answer lies in the story of the Butwal Power Company (BPC) and the anti-establishment development logic of its founder, Odd Hoftun, a pioneering Norwegian development worker, missionary, and engineer. From the early 1960s onward, Hoftun insisted that Nepalis should develop technical skills needed to thrive in a modernizing society, a view that eventually led Hoftun to promote hydropower development as the means to literally power Nepal’s industrial future. Counter to prevailing logic, Hoftun insisted that, to the fullest extent possible, hydroelectric design, construction, and equipment should be locally-sourced—even if it was, initially, crude and inefficient. Self-sufficiency and sustainability could only come if every aspect of hydropower development could be done in Nepal, by Nepalis.

Over half a century, Hoftun worked with Nepalis and other foreigners to establish a family of inter-locking companies focused on hydrological design and engineering, equipment manufacturing, deep-mountain tunneling, and project installation. Starting with a tiny 50 kilowatt project in the 1960s and advancing through successively larger and more complex projects, by the 2000s Hoftun’s now independent and Nepali-owned companies, and many subsidiary spin-offs from them, had emerged as the backbone of a robust indigenous hydropower sector able to compete successfully in bidding for projects around Nepal and beyond.

Typically anthropologists and historians engage “development” in order to critique it. Much less often examined are the few bright spots on the global development landscape. The book’s aim is certainly not to hold up Nepal’s hydropower sector as some spotless paragon of development success, but simply to examine how and why it managed to largely overcome the global development odds stacked against it. Nepal’s hydropower experience is a success and one of the few ways that Nepal participates in the global economy aside from as an impoverished exporter of cheap manpower. By focusing on what went right instead of (or in addition to) what went wrong, this book is a useful contribution to ongoing debates over international development, foreign aid, and development philosophy.

This study represents a chance to lay out a particular development vision to examine its strengths and weaknesses. Given that “the BPC model” has arguably borne rich fruit in Nepal’s otherwise relatively barren development landscape, it is high time to bring this vision into vigorous conversation with other development strategies that have proven, repeatedly, to be less productive, the press statement said.

Global South Experts Concerned About Loss and Damage Funding Dispute Ahead of COP28

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Experts from the Global South have voiced their concerns regarding the ongoing disputes between developed and developing nations over the eligibility criteria and funding arrangements for the Loss and Damage Fund (LDF). The controversy threatens to hinder progress on this critical issue at the upcoming COP28, the annual United Nations climate talks scheduled for December in Dubai.

At COP27 in Egypt’s Sharm El Sheikh last year, the creation of the Loss and Damage Fund was hailed as a significant achievement, marking the culmination of years of advocacy by climate-vulnerable developing nations. This fund’s primary goal is to provide financial support to countries highly susceptible to the severe impacts of climate change.

Recent ministerial consultations held in New York have highlighted stark disagreements between developed and developing nations. Developed countries are advocating for a restricted definition of “most vulnerable” countries, primarily limiting eligibility to Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States. This approach excludes countries like Pakistan and Libya, which have recently experienced substantial climate change-induced damage. Developed nations also emphasize that all capable nations, particularly major emitters like India and China, should contribute to the fund.

Conversely, developing nations argue that the fund should be accessible to all developing countries impacted by climate change, especially those hosting vulnerable communities. They stress that this aligns with the principles of equity, considering countries’ historical and current contributions to greenhouse gas emissions.

Experts from the Global South believe that these actions by developed nations indicate a lack of commitment to operationalize the Loss and Damage Fund at COP28. They argue that the proposed expansion of the contributor base, reduced eligibility, and private sector involvement undermine existing obligations and principles of equity.

Diego Pacheco, head of the Bolivian delegation and spokesperson of the Like-Minded Developing Countries at the UNFCCC, criticized the lack of connection between discussions on loss and damage and equity principles, suggesting it leads to a “dialogue of the deaf.” He accused developed countries of violating the Convention (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement by suggesting that financing should be shifted to other capable countries.

RR Rashmi, a distinguished fellow at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), expressed concern that these disputes might divert attention and slow down discussions on loss and damage. Rashmi emphasized the importance of India insisting on consistency with UNFCCC principles of equity.

T Jayaraman, a senior fellow in climate change at the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, pointed out that developed countries’ framing excludes countries like India and China, despite their lower historical emissions contributions. He stressed the need for developing countries to present a united front at COP28.

Indrajit Bose, Global Policy Lead at Climate Action Network-International, criticized developed countries for pushing for an expansion of the contributor base and a reduction in eligible countries. He called this a display of bad-faith negotiations and questioned the private sector’s role in funding loss and damage. Bose urged developed countries to honor the decisions made at COP27 and demonstrate a genuine commitment to addressing loss and damage.

The dispute over loss and damage funding remains a critical issue as the world looks ahead to COP28, where the outcome will have significant implications for climate-vulnerable nations.

Dozens dead after blast in southwestern Pakistan

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Pakistan, Sept. 30: A powerful bomb exploded near a mosque at a rally celebrating the birthday of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad in southwestern Pakistan on Friday, killing at least 52 people and injuring nearly 70 others, police and a government official said.

The bombing occurred in Mastung, a district in Baluchistan province, where around 500 people had gathered for a procession to celebrate the birth anniversary of the prophet. Muslims hold rallies and distribute free meals to people on the occasion, which is known as Mawlid an-Nabi.

TV footage and videos on the social media showed an open area near a mosque strewn with the shoes of the dead and wounded after the bombing. Some of the bodies had been covered with bedsheets, and residents and rescuers were seen rushing the wounded to hospitals, where a state of emergency had been declared and appeals were being issued for blood donations.

Baluchistan has witnessed scores of attacks by insurgents and militants, but they usually target security forces. The Pakistan Taliban have also repeatedly said that they do not target worship places and civilians.

Those injured in the blast were taken to nearby hospitals and some were in critical condition, government administrator Atta Ullah said. Abdul Rasheed, the District Health Officer in Mastung, said 30 bodies were taken to one hospital and 22 others were counted at a second hospital.

A senior police officer, Mohammad Nawaz, was among the dead, Ullah said. Officers were investigating to determine whether the bombing was a suicide attack, he added.

Friday’s bombing came days after authorities asked police to remain on maximum alert, saying militants could target rallies making the birthday of Islam’s prophet.

Also Friday, a blast ripped through a mosque located on the premises of a police station in Hangu, a district in the northwester Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, wounding seven people, said Shah Raz Khan, a local police officer.

He said the mud-brick mosque collapsed because of the impact of the blast and rescuers were removing the debris to pull out worshippers from the rubble. Police say it was not immediately clear what caused the blast.

No one claimed responsibility, and it was unclear what caused the blast when around 40 people were praying at the mosque. Most of the worshippers were police officers,

Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi condemned the attack and asked authorities to provide all possible assistance to the wounded and the victims’ families.

In a statement, caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti denounced the bombing and expressed sorrow and grief over the loss of lives. He said it was a “heinous act” to target people in the Mawlid an-Nabi procession.

The government had declared a national holiday for the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad, and President Alvi and caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul-haq-Kakar in separate messages had called for unity and for people to adhere to the teachings of Islam’s prophet. (AP)

Nepal can achieve only 60% of SDGs targets by 2030 if things are not corrected: Stakeholders

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By Pritam Bhattarai, Kathmandu, Sept 29: Nepal seems to fall behind in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as the progress is not satisfactory, warned stakeholders. 

However, as compared to only 12 per cent of the 140 SDGs targets likely to be achieved globally, Nepal has fared better.     

According to the Nepal Civil Society Report on SDGs-2023 published by the NGO Federation of Nepal (NFN), Nepal has achieved seven per cent of the targets, two per cent are progressing; 39 per cent have some progress it is at halfway to 2030, the deadline for meeting the SDGs. However, 18 per cent of the targets are regressing, whereas 26 per cent have limited and 36 per cent have missing values.     

Despite this progress, the country still faces challenges induced by many factors including the impacts of COVID-19, the economic impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war and geopolitical dynamics, said the NFN President Ram Prasad Subedi at a press meeting organised to provide information about progress on the SDGs.     

He alleged of the lack of coordination among the governments at all three levels, stakeholders and civil society for the ‘weak’ implementation of the SDGs. “The progress on the SDGs is not satisfactory eight years into its implementation. Given this sluggish progress, only 60 per cent achievement will be secured by 2030, the timeline for achieving the goals,” he said. He added that there is a weak part in collecting data and monitoring the implementation of the SDGs.     

Stating that the local and provincial levels are unaware of the SDGs, he called for empowering them to effectively implement them.     

Similarly, the NFN Secretary General Arjun Bhattarai called for equal participation of youths in the social, economic and political development endeavours as they he said play a critical role in the implementation of the SDGs. He also demanded the creation of a mechanism at the local level to collect data on the SDGs.     

Taking immediate action to increase women’s representation in leadership is essential and meaningful participation of the government at all three levels should be ensured, the participating stakeholders demanded. Likewise, the government should systematically collect, process and utilise disaggregated data to verify progress and inclusion in government programmes and overall SDG achievements. They also called for the management of the required budget, resources and partnership development to effectively implement the SDGs. (RSS)

Father of India’s ‘Green Revolution,’ Dr Swaminathan, passes away

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London – Dr MS Swaminathan, an eminent plant geneticist popularly referred to as ‘Father of the Green Revolution in India’, died at the age of 98 on Thursday in Chennai, India, media reports said. He was also the founder of the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF).

Born in Kumbakonam, in Tamilnadu state of India, he earned his bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences at the Madras Agricultural College and went on to pursue a Ph.D. in genetics and plant breeding from the University of Cambridge, England.

He was a key figure in the Green Revolution, which was launched by the Indian government in 1965. This initiative played a big part in India becoming from food-deficient nation to one of the world’s leading agricultural nations.

Swaminathan was acclaimed by TIME magazine as one of the twenty most influential Asians of the 20th century and one of the only three from India, the other two being Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore.

In a tweet, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that (he was) deeply saddened by the demise of Dr Swaminathan. “At a very critical period of our nation’s history, his groundbreaking work in agriculture  transformed the lives of millions and ensured food security for our nation,” he said.

Dr Swaminathan was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 1971, the Albert Einstein World Science Award in 1986, the First World Food Prize in 1987, the Franklin D Roosevelt Four Freedoms Medal, and the Mahatma Gandhi Prize of UNESCO in 2000, among others.