A Special Thank You for a Year that Was
We hope you are well and safe. The past year was indeed challenging and we understand it’s been tough on everyone – our colleagues, allies, friends and family members. We have seen how the combined impacts brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and the climate crisis had on our campaigns, operations and our lives. But as we look forward to another year, it is important for us to be reminded of the many victories and turning points worth celebrating because of you and your continued support.
Thanks to your
With the birth of RISE Southeast Asia Alliance for Health and Climate we have initiated the first ever regional climate action movement through the leadership of health professionals in collaboration with medical students, academe, environmental justice activists and community leaders. The Asia Advisory Council of Health Care Without Harm, mounted a trailblazing discussion on Pathways to a Healthy and Equitable Recovery for Asia. And through your partaking we have gathered health ministries and hospital systems from Vietnam, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Australia during the jam-packed virtual gathering for the 2020 World Environment Day calling for immediate climate action in healthcare.
Your energy, contributions, and solidarity were inspiring.
Despite the trials brought by the pandemic, Health Care Without Harm Partners in India, China and Nepal produced and conducted groundbreaking resource materials and continued to build healthcare climate action movement in their respective countries:
In India, as early as April and May of 2020, HCWH’s India partners leveraged the research and dialogue around COVID-19 and its relation to air pollution to push forward the agenda for clean air and a “healthy recovery.” HCWH partners began these important conversations through webinars in India highlighting the issues. More here
In China, with the support of the UNDP GEF Small Grants Program, Rock Environment and Energy Institute (REEI) invited a professional team to conduct energy audit for two buildings of Hushan Hospital. The audit team conducted a detailed statistical analysis of the buildings’ energy consumption in recent years, based on the data provided by the hospital's energy consumption monitoring platform, and tested the indoor environment and air conditioning system of the buildings. More here
In Nepal, HECAF360 has been deeply involved in the Government of Nepal’s efforts to battle Covid-19 within the country. Nepal asked HECAF to decontaminate the aircraft on its return to Kathmandu after all passengers had vacated the aircraft. HECAF360 is also being proactive in its partnership with government. On 3 June HECAF360 arranged and delivered a first shipment of ventilators and PPE worth over $100,000 to the Ministry of Health. More here
In this part of the world where environmental and health issues like climate change and air pollution mean health inequity, lack of resilient health infrastructures, insufficient government budget prioritization, deplorable working conditions, gender inequality, and even food insecurity, it is imperative for the healthcare sector, to lead the healthy recovery plan. Meaning, call for the protection of the people’s health through the transition to renewable energy, investing in climate-resilient health facilities, employing green healthcare procurement policies, strengthening of health information systems, and educating the public of the dangers of climate change inaction.
Let us continue the fight for our future.
Again, thank you very much for all that you do. A more hopeful year ahead from your Health Care Without Harm family in Asia!
In Solidarity!
