For the first time since our financial solidarity campaigns began in 2005, we had to conduct them in the context of a pandemic, Covid-19, which hit Asia early on, before exploding in Europe and then taking on a truly global dimension. Not only did we have to act urgently, but we also had to try to understand the nature of such an epidemic. The health crisis has brutally aggravated the humanitarian crisis in many countries, which had already been fuelled by social insecurity, the ecological and climatic crisis, the blows of world disorder, the conflicts of big powers, and the increasingly authoritarian (even dictatorial and nepotistic) course of many regimes. Our partners have had to continue their activities under trying and often dangerous conditions.

By its very violence, this global crisis has given rise to significant democratic and social resistance marked, from Pakistan to Thailand, by the entry into struggle of new generations. Victories have been achieved, notably with the release of political prisoners in Pakistan. International solidarity has played its part, in support of national mobilizations, in these successes.

Even in the most difficult situations, when all the crises feed each other (Covid, natural disasters, military conflicts, corruption, police impunity...), the role of militant solidarity networks remains essential: they help the affected populations to collectively face adversity, to keep control over their destiny, instead of finding themselves, atomized, in a state of absolute dependence

Like last year, in 2020, ESSF has focused its financial aid on four countries:

Bangladesh, with the farmers’ associations BKF-BKS-BAS and the trade union federation BSF as partners.

Indonesia, with the feminist association Perempuan Mahardhika as partner.

Pakistan, with the Crofter Foundation (CF) and the Labour Education Foundation (LEF) as partners.

The Philippines, with, as partners, Mihands Coalition and its member organizations, especially Tripod.

In 2020, there were no interventions with one-time partners.

The donations we receive can be “dedicated” to a country or an organization, or paid into the Permanent Solidarity Fund, which allows us to send aid immediately after a disaster (the solidarity campaign allows us to replenish this fund later); to balance the balance of specific solidarity campaigns in case it is not; to follow up on prolonged aid; to provide aid when the conditions for a specific solidarity campaign are not met.

 Summary report by country

We are preparing, with our partners, more complete reports by country and by campaign, which may take time. It is possible that we may correct some elements of the report.

BANGLADESH

Contributions sent via the movements BKF (peasant), BKS (peasant), BAS (indigenous) and the trade union federation BSF.

2,000 € had been transferred on November 13, 2019, but this was an advance on the 2020 budget. This transfer is accounted for here.

1,000 € transferred on January 22.

500 € transferred on February 2 (via an associated account for technical reasons).

1,000 € transferred on March 17 (via an associated account for technical reasons).

1,500 € transferred on June 23 (first transfer this day).

1,500 € transferred on June 23 (second transfer this day).

2,000 € transferred on November 11.

Total for the year: 9.500 €.

Total for Bangladesh (2011-2020) : 48.279 €.

INDONESIA

Contributions sent to the Perempuan Mahardhika (Free Women) movement for its support of women workers in an industrial suburb of Jakarta (against sexual harassment and for the respect of reproductive rights) and its participation in solidarity initiatives with populations affected by natural disasters.

1,000 € transferred on January 8.

2,000 € transferred on May 12.

1,500 € transferred on June 12.

2.000 € transferred on December 15.

Total for the year : 5.500 €.

Total Perempuan Mahardhika (2016-2020) : 18.500 €.

Total Indonesia (2006-2020): €22,000.

PAKISTAN

Support for the activities of the Crofter Foundation (CF) and the Labor Education Foundation (LEF):

1,000 € transferred on January 8 (CF).

1,000 € transferred on February 20 (CF).

1,000 € transferred on March 27 (LEF).

1.500 € transferred on April 16 (LEF).

1.500 € transferred on September 24 (LEF).

1.500 € transferred on November 11 (LEF).

Total for the year: 7,500 €.

Total Pakistan (2005-2020): €75,305

PHILIPPINES

For reasons of accessibility in times of confinement, most of the aid to the Mihands coalition has been sent via the Tripod association, a member of this network of about fifty associations.

1.000 € transferred on January 8 (Mihands)

2.000 € transferred on April 30 (Tripod)

1.500 € transferred on June 12 (Tripod)

1,500 € transferred on September 24 (Tripod)

2.000 € transferred on November 10 (Tripod)

Total for the year: 8.000 €

Total Philippines (2007-2020): 104.089,27 €.

* * *

All countries combined.

GENERAL ESSF TOTAL FOR 2020: 30.500 €.

General total ESSF (2005-2020): 325.323,04 €.

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 Extracts from the minutes of the ESSF general assembly of February 29, 2020

The following points were noted:

1. The pandemic caused by the new coronavirus means that the need for solidarity with our partners is ever more urgent due to its direct effects (health crisis) and indirect effects (social crisis and increased authoritarian drift). Our partners will have to continue their actions under particularly difficult conditions. Our own activity may also be affected.

2. We must give the highest visibility to this issue by addressing it on all levels: medical knowledge, protective measures, analyses of health policies, general background (link between the health crisis, the socio-ecological crisis, capitalist globalization), debates and alternatives. To do this, we must create “health” and “pandemic” sections on our site, following the example of what already exists for “women” or “ecology”, whereas at present “health” sections are rare and often only concern the struggles for the defense of health care systems.

3. We have made progress on the redesign of the site, as decided last year, but it is a very long process. To be continued. We have changed hosts.

We reaffirm our commitments:

The functioning of the association is entirely based on voluntary work, the policy of minimal costs and the reduction of expenses so that the funds collected are effectively entirely devoted to solidarity. We will shoulder ourselves the operating costs that are not directly related to solidarity.

As a general rule, our action is long term. We do not “export” our own projects, but we support socially rooted movements to respond to these emergencies based on their involvement in the field and their own perceptions of priorities. We help our partners to ensure the development of their solidarity activities and to encourage the self-organization of the populations for whom our financial support is intended.

Our association operates without any form of remuneration, on an entirely militant basis. Thus, 100% of the donations received are transferred to their recipients. The operating costs consist mainly of bank charges (transfers and account management) and are reduced to a minimum (less than 5%).

Given the humanitarian situation in these countries, our limited resources and the quality of our relations with local associations and networks, we will continue to ensure regular solidarity in the Philippines, Pakistan, Indonesia and Bangladesh. Any other solidarity initiatives will be, at least initially, more punctual.

We wish to work, in France and in Europe, with other associations for the development of a “Europe of solidarity”.

We would like to warmly thank all those who have contributed to this year of solidarity,

ESSF
Mark Johnson, Pierre Rousset

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 To send donations

Cheques
cheques to ESSF in euros only, payable in France, to be sent to:
ESSF
2, rue Richard-Lenoir
93100 Montreuil
France

Bank Account:
Crédit lyonnais
Agence de la Croix-de-Chavaux (00525)
10 boulevard Chanzy
93100 Montreuil
France
ESSF, account number 445757C

International bank account details :
IBAN : FR85 3000 2005 2500 0044 5757 C12
BIC / SWIFT : CRLYFRPP
Account holder : ESSF

Through PayPal
You can send money through Paypal: see the PayPal button on ESSF English home page: http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?page=sommaire&lang=en

Through HelloAsso
You can also send money through the association HelloAsso: see its button on ESSF English home page: http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?page=sommaire&lang=en
Or go directly to:
https://www.helloasso.com/associations/europe-solidaire-sans-frontieres/formulaires/1/widget

We keep you regularly informed via our website of the situation and use of the solidarity fund.

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