Recent events illustrate the gravity of the situation. Cyclone Moch hit Myanmar and Bangladesh (particularly threatened by rising ocean waters). Extreme climatic phenomena follow one another, making the production cycle on which small farmers depend very uncertain. The fractures within the Pakistani ruling classes could lead to the imposition of martial law tomorrow; they are already opening the field to the action of multiple armed groups, placing progressive activists in a situation of serious insecurity (with Afghanistan of the Taliban in the background). The South China Sea is the nodal point of the geostrategic face-off between Washington and Beijing, accelerating the dynamics of global militarisation and the arms race. The partial rehabilitation of the Myanmar junta in the diplomatic arena is a real act of non-assistance to people in danger and to resistance organisations confronted with a merciless war. The demands of the IMF, the burden of debts, corruption and nepotism complete the dispossession of the poor. Throughout the region, fundamental freedoms are under attack by authoritarian or dictatorial regimes.

The multi-causal catastrophe is underway. Above all, it is important that popular communities are able to face it in solidarity, collectively, through self-organisation and mutual aid, in order to implement, as close as possible to local realities, reactive measures adapted to their needs. There are situations where solidarity simply means help for survival, but even in this case, emancipatory self-organisation can and must remain on the horizon of emergency relief. It is in this perspective that the networks and movements whose activity ESSF supports are acting.

These networks and movements also help to develop mutual aid on a regional or national level, whether it be for the exchange of experiences, the defence of the most threatened or marginalised communities, the welcoming of populations displaced by military conflicts or natural disasters, or resistance to multiple oppressions. As their commitment to the people of Myanmar shows, this solidarity is as well expressed beyond borders.

These “sister organisations” of ESSF are:

– In Indonesia, the Free Women association.

– In the Philippines, the MiHands network of associations in Mindanao.

– In Bangladesh, the peasant organisations BKF-BKS and their associated movements.

– In Pakistan, the Labour Education Foundation and the Crofter Foundation.

– In Burma, in the face of intense warfare and lawlessness, the aid we can provide transit to the borders where a group of solidarity movements act in common. In a fluctuating situation, it is destined for the various components of the resistance.

The activists who are engaged in these movements often work in very difficult and dangerous conditions. We wish to give them the greatest possible support.

We warmly thank in advance all those who will be able to answer this call.

Pierre Rousset
Adam Novak
ESSF

The balance sheet of the solidarity activities carried out by ESSF last year is available here:

https://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article65419

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