LONDON: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) warned on Thursday that the novel coronavirus is driving discrimination towards vulnerable communities in Asia, including migrants and foreigners.
The humanitarian agency surveyed 5,000 people in Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Pakistan and found about half blamed a specific group for spreading the coronavirus, with many mentioning Chinese people, immigrants and foreigners.
In Pakistan, most people surveyed blamed inadequate government controls on the Iranian border, followed by nationals including pilgrims coming back from Iran and then people from China.
"It is particularly concerning that both national migrant and foreign workers are blamed for the spread of COVID-19 as they are quite vulnerable already," Dr Viviane Fluck, one of the lead researchers and the agency's Asia Pacific community engagement and accountability coordinator, told Reuters.
She said there should be more focus on combating "rumors that are linked to underlying power dynamics and structural issues of inequality".
More than half of the Indonesians surveyed blamed "foreigners and rule-breakers" while in Myanmar, the groups most often thought to be responsible were people from China and other foreigners.
In Malaysia, two-thirds blamed a "specific group", most frequently mentioning migrants, foreign tourists and "illegal foreigners", the researchers said.
Malaysian authorities arrested hundreds of undocumented migrants and refugees in May in a crackdown the United Nations said could push vulnerable groups into hiding and prevent them from seeking treatment.
Police said at the time the operation was aimed at preventing people from traveling amid movement curbs.
In Pakistan, Malaysia, Myanmar and Indonesia, higher education had a small impact on whether respondents blamed a specific group, with university graduates slightly less likely to hold certain people responsible, the researchers said.
The IFRC said the survey was a joint initiative with the United Nations and the World Health Organisation.
Most Pakistanis blame inadequate controls on Iranian border for coronavirus spread — Red Cross
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Most Pakistanis blame inadequate controls on Iranian border for coronavirus spread — Red Cross
- Humanitarian agency surveys 5,000 people in Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia and Myanmar and found that coronavirus was driving discrimination
- Concerning that both national migrant and foreign workers are blamed for the spread of COVID-19 as they are quite vulnerable already, Red Cross says
Pakistan backs replacement of electricity-intensive fans ahead of summer
- Finance ministry sets aside $7 million guarantee to support bank financing
- Government seeks rapid scale-up after pilot with 11 commercial banks
KARACHI: Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb on Thursday reaffirmed support for a government-backed fan replacement program aimed at reducing electricity consumption ahead of the summer peak season, as authorities seek to ease pressure on the power system and promote energy conservation.
The initiative allows consumers to replace older, electricity-intensive fans with energy-efficient models through bank financing. To encourage commercial banks to participate, the Ministry of Finance has allocated Rs2 billion ($7 million) as a 10 percent first-loss risk guarantee, designed to absorb part of the credit risk and facilitate lending to households.
“From the perspective of the Ministry of Finance, the initiative remains a high priority, and the Ministry will continue to provide all necessary support to the Power Division to ensure its successful implementation and rapid scaling,” the finance minister said in a statement.
Electric fans are among the most widely used appliances in Pakistan, especially during the long and intense summer months when electricity demand typically surges and contributes to strain on the national grid.
According to the finance ministry, the program was formally launched on Thursday after a pilot phase conducted in collaboration with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and 11 commercial banks.
During the trial phase, around 186 energy-efficient fans were installed, with disbursements of approximately Rs1.35 million ($4,800) benefiting 67 borrowers.
Officials said the financing and digital systems required to process applications and disburse funds are now operational, paving the way for expansion.
Aurangzeb said the next phase would focus on scaling up the program more rapidly in coordination with the SBP and commercial lenders so that its benefits are realized sooner rather than over a 10-year horizon.
