Singapore passes law to ration power during emergencies, set up energy fund

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WHAT IT IS ABOUT

The law made recommendations regarding the development and planning of equipment, the development of new market mechanisms, and energy security.

Tan Discover Leng, the second secretary for trade and industry, claimed that energy rationing might be necessary to maintain power balance in the event of a severe and long disruption to all of Singapore’s fuel imports.

People will have access to electricity for their daily needs, as well as receiving objective for services like medical and communications, and will be given as much advance notice as feasible. &nbsp,

Businesses will not be held responsible if they do not fulfill their obligations by following EMA’s recommendations for power rationing.

Once the situation improves, the rationing measures will be lifted. &nbsp,

” Power rationing is only a last resort. Dr. Tan, who noted that the UK has also implemented power rationing as part of its energy resilience strategy, said it is one part of Singapore’s preparation for an increasingly uncertain world.” I hope we will never have to use it.” &nbsp,

The law establishes the Future Energy Fund for investments in clean energy projects that may involve significant commercial, technological, and geopolitical risks in addition to power rationing. &nbsp,

The initial injection will be S$ 5 billion ( US$ 3.8 billion ) in FY2024, with further top-ups in the years to come.

Other proposals include:

  • Owners and occupants of important energy infrastructure can be directed by EMA to grant electricity and gas licensees access to the infrastructure, which may include waterfront jetties and transmission cables.
  • Requiring EMA’s approval when repurposing energy and gas assets
  • allowing EMA to recover costs incurred as a result of initiatives it takes in order to promote energy security, market growth, and decarbonization. MTI stated that EMA will only take action when necessary and that the ministry must approve proposed new rates. EMA further stated that EMA will not attempt to turn a profit.
  • Unless otherwise permitted, requiring prescribed power generation companies to only purchase gas from a central gas company, known as Gasco for the moment. By the end of the current fiscal year, Gasco is anticipated to be established as a government-owned business, which will purchase and supply gas to the power sector, increasing the scale of the operation. Singapore had stated that it would establish Gasco to reduce the volatility of electricity prices.

WHY IT MATTERS&nbsp,

Dr Tan said that the proposals will strengthen Singapore’s ability to “plan for and develop a decarbonised, secure, and cost-competitive energy system” against the backdrop of geopolitical, commercial and technological uncertainties which can threaten the country’s energy security. &nbsp,

Given that Singapore still relies primarily on imported natural gas for its energy needs and lacks alternative energy sources, the proposals, particularly those aimed at centralizing gas procurement and power rationing, are intended to ensure energy stability.

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Malaysia defends web traffic re-routing plan against online censorship concerns

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In a statement late on Saturday ( Sep 7 ), the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) denied the measure was “draconian”, saying it was aimed at protecting vulnerable groups from malicious or harmful content, such as online gambling, pornography, copyright infringements, phishing or financial scams. ” DNS redirection ensuresContinue Reading

Commentary: Is Singapore a resilient city?

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Growing UNCERTAINTIES

Singapore continues to struggle to build up its industrial resilience in spite of the strength of its economy and infrastructure. &nbsp,

For example, FM Global’s Global Resilience Index ranks Singapore 56th in its endurance measures for climate shift. Singapore is very vulnerable to climate-related challenges, such as rising sea levels and rising temperatures, according to the index’s assessment. &nbsp,

Urban heating is a special challenge for Singapore. Singapore was ranked 19th out of 30 international cities in the recently released Savills Heat Resilience Index rankings for its capacity to deal with extreme industrial temperature.

Singapore’s vulnerability to weather change is hardly surprising. In the form of the president’s Green Plan 2030, methods are already being taken to improve Singapore’s general resilience to climate change.

Despite these attempts, climate change is actually a “wicked” policy issue that is difficult to predict and that also causes major disruption to world.

For example, climate scientists have recently discovered that the increase in water levels and global temperatures has been increasing much more quickly than originally thought. International conditions have increased significantly more quickly than originally anticipated, according to a research published in the Oxford Open Climate Change next year.

The potential risks from climate change are difficult to predict and calculate, giving politicians constantly shifting priorities and boundaries, in contrast to financial uncertainty or security risks.

This contrasts favorably with economic crises, in which economists generally use financial and economic data to make fairly accurate projections. Data on climate change are typically less reliable or repetitive. This is a crucial point to remember.

In his seminal work Chance, Profit and Uncertainty, American analyst Frank Knight makes an essential difference between “risk” and “uncertainty”. While risk may be measured and quantified, there are no analytical methods for measuring or projecting confusion.

The “black swan,” according to mathematician Nassim Taleb, is undoubtedly the most well-known illustration of this uncertainty. It represents a very problematic event that cannot be predicted in advance.

In other words, there are some risks or “risks” that can be predicted with some analytical clarity. In other situations, such as weather change, potential risks are greater characterised as “uncertainties” that cannot be predicted or measured.

What is policymakers do to create cities and communities that are more resistant to black birds and uncertainty in light of this information? Can we actually guard against risks that have not yet been developed, let alone understood and predicted?

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Fast fashion drove Bangladesh – now its troubled economy needs more

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BBC Textile workers in a garment factory in Bangladesh.BBC

The beating brain of the world fast fashion industry is Bangladesh.

The clothing its factories trade share the aisles at H&amp, M, Gap and Zara. Over three years, this has transformed the nation from one of the nation’s poorest to a lower-middle money region.

But its garment industry, worth$ 55bn ( £42bn ) a year, is now facing an unsettled future after weeks of protests toppled the government of Sheikh Hasina in August. In the turmoil, hundreds of people were killed.

While producers struggled to work under a global internet blackout, at least four factories were set ablaze. Now, three major brands, including Disney and US retailer string Walmart, have looked abroad for next weekend’s clothes.

The upheaval is continuing. From Thursday, some 60 companies outside Dhaka are expected to remain closed because of employee upheaval. Staff have been making numerous needs, including better pay.

Reuters Protesters clash with police and the pro-government supporters, after anti-quota protester demanding the stepping down of the Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Bangla Motor area, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, August 4, 2024Reuters

New events” will affect the trust level of brands”, says Mohiuddin Rubel, a chairman at the region’s garments manufacturers and exporters relationship.

” And they might believe,” If we put all of our eggs in one box?” they ask. he says, noting foe garment-producing places like Vietnam.

In fact, Kyaw Sein Thai, who has procurement agencies in both Bangladesh and the US, speculates that the current social unrest could lead to a” 10 to 20 % decline in export this time.” That’s no small amount when fast fashion exports account for 80 % of Bangladesh’s export earnings.

Even before the events of the past several months, Bangladesh’s cloth business – and its economy – were not in good health. Baby workers crises, fatal injuries and the Covid-19 stoppage had all taken their toll.

Manufacturing had become more expensive as a result of rising prices, but sluggish need meant lower prices meant lower prices. This was particularly terrible for Bangladesh, which relies heavily on imports. As revenue from imports shrank, so did foreign money resources.

Other issues were present, as well: the government’s finances had been drained from increased expenditure on lavish infrastructure projects. Additionally, as strong businesspeople with connections to former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party failed to pay money, the bank was weakened by rampant favoritism.

” It was n’t benign neglect but a designed robbery of the financial system”, the country’s new central bank governor, Dr Ahsan Mansur, told the BBC in an recent exclusive interview.

Fixing this, Dr Mansur said, was his top concern, but he warned it may take years and the state would need more financial support, including another IMF loan.

” We are in a challenging situation, and we want to keep paying every penny we can to fulfill our international commitments. But we need some extra seat for today”, said Dr Mansur.

An empty office in a technology park near Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Mahaburbur Rahman, whose family founded the apparel company Sonia Group 20 years ago, claims that the nation’s declining deposits of foreign currencies alone are sufficient to stifle trust.

If we do n’t have enough money, they worry about how much we’ll be able to import yarn from China and India. Many of them are unable to make new orders in Bangladesh because they are n’t covered by travel insurance, according to Mr. Rahman.

However, Bangladesh’s current issue is more grave: kids who were outraged by the country’s absence of well-paying jobs and opportunities were the ones who organized the protests that led to Ms. Hasina’s ouster.

The clothing factories may have provided millions of jobs, but they do n’t offer good wages. Some factory workers who spoke to the BBC claimed they struggled to make ends meet on wages that were only a fraction of the national minimum wage, which meant they were forced to take out money to give their children.

Many of them joined the student-led rallies in recent months to need better pay and conditions.

” We may live for nothing less than a doubling”, union president Maria said. ” Pay must change as the cost of living increases.”

The student activists, though, are calling for a more dramatic shake-up of the employment market.

Abu Tahir, Mohammad Zaman, Mohammad Zaidul and Sardar Armaan were all part of the marches.

They all claim to be interested in working in the private sector but do n’t feel like they are qualified for the positions that are available, telling the BBC that they have been unemployed for between two and five years.

” ]My parents ] hardly understand how competitive the job market is. Unemployment is a main source of stress for my home. I feel belittled”, Mr Zaman says.

” We only get a degree, we are never getting the right knowledge”, says Mr Zaidul.

” The new assistant is an entrepreneur himself nevertheless, so we all feel more cheerful he’ll do something about this”, he adds, referring to the region’s time president, Muhammad Yunus. For his ground-breaking work in sub debts, Mr. Yunus received the Nobel Peace Prize.

Textile workers in a garment factory in Bangladesh.

According to Dr. Fahmida Khatun of the Centre for Policy Dialogue think tank, diversifying the economy is essential to fulfill the desires of educated children, adding that this would not be detrimental to the market.

” No state you live for a long time based on only one business”, she says. ” It will take you so much, but no further. There have been]diversification ] attempts, but so far it’s only been in the books”.

This is demonstrated by a deteriorating systems garden close to the capital, Dhaka. It was intended to be a part of a national campaign to reduce Bangladesh’s reliance on garment production and to make higher-paying jobs.

It today sits abandoned – a reminder of the preceding administration’s financial problems.

” This is the perfect example of the difference between what business requirements and what the government has provided”, says Russel T Ahmed, a applications investor.

No one ever inquired as to why we needed these gardens. Bangladesh has been investing in real system, but how much have we invested in human system? That is the essential raw materials for this market.

According to Dr. Khatun, the new government must cut down on obstacles like fraud and bureaucracy in order to promote private and international investment.

Mr Yunus has vowed to take extensive changes to the country’s economy and fix organizations that have, as Dr Khatun says, been” carefully ruined” over the past few years.

He must continue to stabilize the economy, hold free and fair elections, and stop vested interests from dictating state policy.

The state is also dealing with a number of issues, including slowing global demand for the goods it produces, deteriorating relations with its gigantic neighbor and exchanging partner India, which houses Ms. Hasina, and climate change, which has increased the intensity of cyclones in the flood-prone nation.

These difficulties are as great as the hope that many people have poured onto Mr. Yunus ‘ arms.

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UAE leader pardons Bangladeshis jailed for protesting

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57 Bangladeshis who were serving lengthy prison sentences for protesting the Gulf state against their own government have been pardoned by the president of the United Arab Emirates ( UAE ).

In July, 53 of the defendants were given 10-year and one-year prison sentences, respectively, while three received living words. They were accused of gathering in a public space to cause turmoil.

The protests were held against the then Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, in the days before she was ousted from power.

Rallies are effectively outlawed in the UAE, where foreigners make up nearly 90 % of the people. The second largest expatriate team is the Bangladeshis.

In Bangladesh, hundreds of people were killed during the days of turmoil that student-led demonstrations against restrictions on federal employment sparked. Sheikh Hasina resigned and emigrated to India on August 5.

According to reports, her efforts to seek hospital in the UK, the US, and the UAE have not been effective thus far.

According to the UAE’s state news agency WAM, the president’s pardon may “halt the application of words” and start imprisonment methods for some Bangladeshis, according to the UAE’s state news agency WAM.

His choice to forgive the protesters follows a phone call next month with Bangladesh’s time Prime Minister, Nobel prize Muhammad Yunus, who was installed following Ms Hasina’s journey.

According to express press, the 21 July test of the 57 Bangladeshis heard their rallies caused “riots, upheaval of public safety, barrier of law enforcement, and destruction of public and private property”.

Their court-appointed defence lawyer argued that the gatherings had no criminal intent and that the evidence was insufficient, WAM reported.

Amnesty International criticized what it called the UAE’s “extreme reaction to the mere existence of a public protest” on its soil at the time of the trial.

Six videos of the protests that were posted to TikTok and X on July 19th were later verified by Human Rights Watch.

The videos show peaceful protesters marching and chanting down streets in the UAE in the evening.

The group claimed that “none of the protesters were using language to incite violence in their chant” or engaged in violent acts.

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Putin visit a delicate balancing act for neutral Mongolia – Asia Times

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Vladimir Putin made his first trip to an International Criminal Court ( ICC ) member country since 2023 when the body issued a warrant for his arrest on September 2. This is the first time the Russian president has been to Mongolia.

Putin’s visit may put the small, central Asian nation’s scheme of independence and the influence of foreign corporations to the test while actually observing a Soviet-Mongolian military victory in World War II.

Mongolia, a nation of only 3.3 million people and a sizable area of land, has long pursued its foreign policy in the shadow of China and Russia, two nations that share close historical and financial ties.

The state has attempted to boost its freedom from its more effective companions by developing cordial relations with so-called third-neighbor&nbsp, countries, which include the United States, Germany, Japan and South Korea.

Mongolia has attempted to cut out a market on the global stage by presenting itself as a natural diplomatic meeting place through this strategy. For instance, the monthly Ulaanbaatar Dialogue provides a platform for local places and different invited states, including those from the US and EU member states, to discuss topics ranging from climate change to local safety and crucial materials.

As scientists of Mongolia and China, we attended the previous such speech in June 2024 and witnessed Mongolia’s diplomatic efforts first. It is a technique that has worked for the nation, but as activities like Putin’s visit show, it can be a difficult balancing act.

A carefully watched attend

The schedule of Putin’s vacation is formally linked to history. The Battle of Khalkhin Gol, where combined Soviet-Mongol forces defeated Chinese troops in World War II, was celebrated 85 years earlier, as well as the founding of Mongolia’s nationwide railroad company 75 years ago.

Yet it is a second traditional marker, the second anniversary of a complete Russian-Mongolian proper partnership, that highlights the visit’s significance from a contemporary political perspective.

Mongolia has maintained a close relationship with Moscow despite Putin’s pariah status in much of the international community, in addition to its friendly relations with” third neighbors.” Most recently, Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh and Putin met at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in July.

Yet Putin’s visit now – the first he has made to the country since 2019 – poses a challenge for Mongolia as it seeks to balance its obligations to the Western-led international order, of which the ICC is a part, with Ulaanbaatar’s desire to stay friends with its powerful neighbors.

Few things demonstrate this diplomatic tightrope walk more than Mongolia’s membership in the ICC, which reportedly ordered Putin to be detained for allegedly assisting in the unlawful deportation and enslavement of Ukrainian children to Russia.

In response to the ICC’s founding treaty, the Rome Statute, which requires member nations to take action if subjects to court warrant enter their territory, Ukraine has urged Mongolia to detain Putin.

However, the ICC lacks a reliable enforcement mechanism, and member states may also be exempt from making arrests if doing so violates a number of treaty obligations or diplomatic immunity granted to a party.

Putin’s visit is anticipated to show how little can be done to encircle Moscow. Mongolia will likely demonstrate how far it will go to accommodate its powerful neighbor given the power imbalance between the states.

Mongolia’s ‘ Third Neighbor ‘ policy

For almost 70 years, Mongolia was closely allied with the Soviet Union. However, the nation had to alter its economic and political relations as a result of the communist government’s fall and subsequent geopolitical reorientation.

Mongolia became the only former communist nation in Asia with an open economy and democratic political system as a result. It gained popularity among the US and other Western nations, who saw it as a model for the region.

Putin’s anticipated trip is only the most recent in a line of highly public state visits as Mongolia tries to maintain close ties with its neighbors while also boosting international cooperation.

So far in 2024, Mongolia has received heads of state or foreign ministers from the US, Slovenia, the Philippines, Belarus, the United Kingdom and Germany. Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene traveled to the US and met with Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as China to meet President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in 2023.

Pope Francis and French President Emmanuel Macron have both recently visited Ulaanbaatar.

Mongolia ca n’t escape geography

Although Ulaanbaatar’s efforts to win friends and goodwill around the world have been successful, geography cannot be overshadowed by them. Mongolia, which is encircled between Russia and China, is still susceptible to the eccentricities of its two enormous neighbors.

Mongolia map: The Conversation

Russia supplies the majority of Mongolia’s electricity and gasoline, and it relies on it for almost all of its diesel and gasoline needs. Additionally, Russia retains 50 % ownership in several important infrastructure and mining projects in Mongolia as a result of a legacy agreement from the Soviet era. In particular, Russia is a partner in the Mongolian railway system, which has grown in importance as a trade corridor between China and Russia, and China and Europe.

Mongolia fears that if Russia prioritizes its own energy needs in the middle of war over the interests of its neighbors, no matter how deep those ties may be, that its fuel supplies and transportation network will be hampered.

Similarly, Mongolia is dependent on China for the majority of its non-energy imports, including food, consumer and industrial products. And China is the destination for 90 % of Mongolia’s exports, primarily coal and copper.

In response to perceived flaws, such as China’s delaying of trade and a significant loan in 2016 in protest of the Dalai Lama’s visit to Mongolia, both Russia and China have used their economic and political leverage as leverage on Mongolia in the past.

Mongolia and the new China-Russia alignment

Mongolia and other Central Asian nations are facing new difficulties as Russia and China’s political and economic ties get closer.

For the majority of the 20th century, Mongolia relied on the rivalry between the two superpowers to maintain and expand its independence. It served as a buffer state between China and the Soviet Union.

However, the growing friendship between China and Russia, which was highlighted by Putin and Xi’s declaration of a” no limits” partnership in February 2022, just days before Russian troops invaded Ukraine, raises the question of whether China and Russia will start working together to gain even more control over Mongolia and other smaller states in the region.

Ulaanbaatar might be focused on these geopolitical issues during Putin’s visit. Mongolia has avoided confrontations with Moscow in international settings despite the sanctions being applied to it and seeing disruption to transportation and business connections.

Mongolia regularly abstains from UN resolutions that condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine along with China. However, it has also taken care not to violate the sanctions imposed on Russia by the US and its allies as a sign that Mongolia continues to be committed to its third neighbor policy.

Mongolia is aware of how important it is for Putin’s visit to maintain good relations with other countries and the flow of fuel, but it is also concerned about how the visit and its anticipated non-enforcement of ICC sanctions will affect Mongolia’s standing with international organizations and powers outside the region.

Mongolia is working hard to maintain its independence in a shifting world order by focusing on its role as a neutral state and friend to all. However, visits like those made by Putin demonstrate how challenging that endeavor can be.

At the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Christopher K. Tong is an associate professor of Asian studies. Royal Roads University professor of business is Charles Krusekopf.

This article was republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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OCBC internet, mobile banking restored after some users face disruption

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SINGAPORE: OCBC internet and mobile banking services have been restored after some users experienced disruption for several hours on Sunday (Sep 1).

The services returned to normal earlier on Sunday afternoon, the bank said in a Facebook update at 3.22pm.

OCBC apologised for the inconvenience caused and advised customers who had difficulties using their services earlier on to log in again.

The bank had earlier said in a Facebook post at about 11.50am that users may have difficulty using its internet and mobile banking services.

In an update at 12.33pm, it added that these services are “progressively being restored”.

“If you had difficulties logging in earlier, please try again. Our ATM and card services are unaffected and continue to work as per normal,” the bank said.

It added that no customer data has been compromised and that customers’ money remains safe.

A message on its website said it was “experiencing heavy traffic” and asked customers to wait or come back later.

Those who needed to suspend their accounts and cards were told to do so via ATMs or to contact the bank.

“We apologise once again for the inconvenience caused and appreciate your patience,” the bank wrote on Facebook.

“We will provide another update when all services have been restored.”

One commentator said: “Appreciate that you’re working on it, but please fix the issue asap thank you.”

Another person said they were unable to pay for food using the QR code.

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Typhoon Shanshan causes widespread Japan disruption

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Reuters Debris and objects blown by strong winds on a road in Miyazaki, south-west Japan, 29 August 2024. Reuters

Trains and flights have been cancelled in Japan as one of the strongest typhoons to hit the country in decades drenches cities in its path.

At least six people have been killed and more than 100 injured after Typhoon Shanshan made landfall in the south-western Japan on Thursday.

Now downgraded to a tropical storm, Shanshan is still packing winds of 90km/h (56mph).

Thousands of people remain without power.

The highest level-five order was issued to millions of residents in the southern island of Kyushu as the storm approached on Thursday, with winds of up to 252 km/h.

After making landfall, the typhoon weakened to a severe tropical storm, but it is still pummelling its way north-east. Up to 300mm (12in) of rainfall is expected in places in the next 24 hours.

Residents of the affected areas have been warned of landslides, flooding and large-scale damage.

A trail of destruction is visible across Shanshan’s path, with many buildings damaged by flying debris, trees uprooted and cars overturned or buried under floods.

Heavy rain was falling in Gifu and Mie prefectures on Saturday, as the Japan Meteorological Agency urged people “to remain vigilant for landslides, flooding and overflowing rivers”.

“This is the first time I saw a typhoon sweeping across all of Japan,” a resident in the capital, Tokyo, told Reuters news agency.

“Typhoons are supposed to go north from Okinawa. So, I didn’t expect it to be like this. I’m very surprised.”

All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines have cancelled dozens of domestic flights.

Bullet train services between Tokyo and Osaka are among those affected throughout Saturday and Sunday.

Shinkansen bullet trains in the central city of Nagoya were also suspended – and there are warnings that more could be halted.

Map shows predicted path of Shanshan

Map of the predicted path of Typhoon Shanshan, showing it will travel northwest across Japan for the next few days and be just south of Osaka by Sunday afternoon.

Special typhoon warnings, like the one issued for Shanshan, are declared in Japan in cases of extraordinarily powerful storms. The same warning was issued in September 2022 as Typhoon Nanmadol approached Kyushu – the first such warning declared for a region other than Okinawa.

Typhoons in the region have been forming closer to coastlines, intensifying more rapidly and lasting longer over land due to climate change, according to a study released last month.

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Meth, HIV and drug gangs a perfect storm in Fiji – Asia Times

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Fiji had a difficult time during the major pandemic times, like many other Pacific says that rely on tourism. But as hospitality returns, another crisis threatens the isle nation’s security – one fueled by rising meth addiction.

The medicine has also spread to nearby areas as a result of international drug cartels using Fiji as a staging area for businesses in New Zealand and Australia. In turn, it has increased the number of HIV infection and added strain to the extended health and justice industries.

Known locally as “ice”, methamphetamine ( meth ) is highly addictive, widely available and increasingly linked to risky behaviour. Needle sharing,” chemsex” (using drugs to heighten sexual experiences ) and a practice known as “bluetoothing” – withdrawing blood after a drug hit and injecting it into a second person – have all been implicated in declining health indicators.

With children as young as nine receiving addiction treatment and with crime rates and reported increases in HIV and AIDS situations, authorities have called for a state of emergency to address the linked issues. However, the officers have been charged with corruption in connection with cocaine trafficking.

Drugs, heath and violence

This year, there are expected to be more than twice the number of HIV cases, disproportionately affecting younger people and excluded groups.

Mainly troubling is the relationship between cocaine use and HIV. Methamphetamine weakens the immune system, making people more susceptible to infections. Many people are afraid to get help or experience testing because of the shame and discrimination associated with both cocaine use and HIV.

The severe condition of Fiji’s wellbeing services after years of neglect only adds to the twin problems. Hospitals and clinics have been underfunded, have current technology, and are short-staffed according to an migration of health professionals.

These shortcomings have significant effects on the care of patients. Additionally, they impede the potential of the health system to meet the growing need for a diverse range of services.

For drug rehab, medical care, and the management of the non-communicable conditions that account for an estimated 80 % of early deaths in Fiji, the healthcare system is particularly lacking.

A regional crisis

The relationship between meth use, HIV, and ill-equipped heath facilities leads to a vicious cycle that persists and only worsens each problem.

Meth use increases violence, habit and the risk of HIV transmission, particularly among young individuals. In turn, this places more strain on the now struggling care program, as well as police and legal tools.

Nevertheless, the situation is leading to a more decline in Fiji’s national development benefits. A comprehensive and coordinated approach will be required to address these numerous challenges.

With the presence of the United Nations ‘ AIDS system, UNAIDS, there are plans to develop such tactics with authorities, civil world, regional and international partners.

A Pacific Regional Transnational Crime Disruption Strategy was launched in April of this year. The UK National Crime Agency, New Zealand Police, the Australian Federal Police, and the Australian Federal Police all work together to support Interpol’s Project Blue Pacific. Additionally, New Zealand contributed to funding the formation of a Fijian Counter Narcotics Bureau in July.

No rapid fixes or simple fixes

However, these partnerships fall short of making a connection between local problems caused by international drug crime and the need to combat the source of meth and other drugs.

New Zealand has pledged to continue providing financing for the improvement of the health system. The Fiji administration’s fiscal priorities will also include expanding education for medical professionals and improving health facilities and equipment.

Similarly important is it to develop and implement comprehensive prevention and treatment programs for HIV and meth use. These may include popular education campaigns, visible testing and treatment facilities, and prevention initiatives ( such as knife exchange programs ).

More responsible and culturally suitable solutions will be achieved by encouraging local communities to participate. It will be essential to end the stigma and discrimination that surround cocaine use and HIV.

Lastly, much-needed technical and financial assistance will be obtained in cooperation with regional and international health organizations. Fiji will be in charge of preventing the spread of the problems in the Pacific regions.

Apisalome Movono is a professor of honourable study at Massey University’s Te Kunenga ki Prehuroa.

This content was republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original post.

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