COVID-19 ** INHE ASIE ** NAFSO response  

 

Photo "Small Sri Lankan artisanal fishermen",  Copyright CCFD-Terre Solidaire

 

 

"NAFSO is a national artisan fishermen movement in Sri Lanka, originally initiated by Caritas and became independent in 1997. Nafso defends artisanal fishing and the economic and social rights of small-scale fishermen. 

 

In response to the coordinator RIEH ASIA asked about the actions on COVID 19, Herman Kumara, leader of NAFSO, answers us :

 

 

 

 

 

   Mail : Herman Kumara, NAFSO, Sri Lanka 01/05/2020

 

 

"   Yes, we are safe and we do hope to continue to be safe.

But, the many countries health system cannot cope up the unprecedented health crisis, of course interconnected with political crisis due to neo-liberal policies adopted past 4 decades or more.

Now, it is clear this system cannot move forward unless we protect our food systems, traditional health system, following life patters which were sustainable in practice.

Once we face the challenge, the first thing we did was ran to search food and medicine.

Nothing else. So, it is clear the life of the human beings depend on only we develop health and food systems and put our effort to develop our economies towards that direction. Most of our work in INHE is timely in that sense as we have focused the health and food for the rural communities. 

It is again very important, the global economic crisis due to the economic recession and some political decisions China had made would further worsen the system.

So, it is very important we plan for strengthening the rural economies.

Sri Lanka is depending on foreign exchange earnings of export garment products, revenues from domestic servants in middle east countries, and some traditional exports of tea etc. But, what will happen to all these aspects? Most of the factory workers are in a fear of loss of jobs. This is one of a main themes of the May day celebration we attend through digital means. Factory management has informed that there won't be orders hence no job for more than 1/2 of the employees. Most of the European and middle east countries are still not mentioned their ability or inability to provide jobs, but there is a danger. So, our economy will be further collapsed. We are afraid of this situation.

So, in this situation we would like to reiterate the importance of launching our INHE programs, of course we have directed our groups, members to do so but need more systematic way to demonstrate them.

Thank you for the wishes and we wish you all the same.

Stay safe and continue to think how to cope up the current crisis and make it it for the transformation of this society.

 

Herman   

Herman Kumara,
National Convener-NAFSO,
Chairperson- Praja Abilasha Land Rights Network
Board Member- Right to Life HR organization
Board Member -Savistri women Organization
Vice President- SSFSL
Executive Committee Member-SAAPE,
Special Invitee- WFFP     "