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Friday, 31 July 2020
UPU provides 1.2 million masks to LDCs
Zambia is the first of 37 least developed countries (LDCs) to receive a shipment of protective masks through a joint project organized by the Universal Postal Union (UPU), the United Nations specialized agency for international postal cooperation, and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
“The Post has been seen as an
essential service in many countries, supporting the delivery of
essential information and goods throughout the pandemic. Postal workers
have been tireless in their dedication to serving their communities on
the front line – it is our priority to make sure they are protected as
they continue to do so,” said UPU Director General Bishar A. Hussein.
More than one million masks are to be distributed by the programme to protect postal workers who have continued providing services throughout the COVID-19 crisis.
The UPU organized the project through its development cooperation budget, as well as donations from China (People’s Rep.), France, Japan and Switzerland. UNOPS has provided logistical support on the project, helping to organize the procurement and shipment of the masks, despite global supply shortages and transport disruptions.
“In serious crises like the one we are currently facing, international cooperation shows the fundamental value of solidarity with the most vulnerable countries. The joint efforts by the development cooperation of the International Bureau, donor countries and the restricted unions are the surest way to provide coordinated support to developing countries at this moment of crisis,” said UPU Development Cooperation Director Rudy Cuadra.
The following LDCs are expected to receive their shipment of masks in the near future: Comoros, Cambodia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Senegal, Somalia and Tuvalu. Shipment details are still being arranged for the remaining 24 countries.
Once the materials are delivered, the UPU will examine the possibility of securing other forms of personal protective equipment and providing additional assistance to support postal staff in LDCs and other countries facing difficult circumstances.
For more information about the project, see this recent interview with Sandra Bonfigli, a procurement assistant in the UPU’s Development Cooperation Directorate.
More than one million masks are to be distributed by the programme to protect postal workers who have continued providing services throughout the COVID-19 crisis.
The UPU organized the project through its development cooperation budget, as well as donations from China (People’s Rep.), France, Japan and Switzerland. UNOPS has provided logistical support on the project, helping to organize the procurement and shipment of the masks, despite global supply shortages and transport disruptions.
“In serious crises like the one we are currently facing, international cooperation shows the fundamental value of solidarity with the most vulnerable countries. The joint efforts by the development cooperation of the International Bureau, donor countries and the restricted unions are the surest way to provide coordinated support to developing countries at this moment of crisis,” said UPU Development Cooperation Director Rudy Cuadra.
The following LDCs are expected to receive their shipment of masks in the near future: Comoros, Cambodia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Senegal, Somalia and Tuvalu. Shipment details are still being arranged for the remaining 24 countries.
Once the materials are delivered, the UPU will examine the possibility of securing other forms of personal protective equipment and providing additional assistance to support postal staff in LDCs and other countries facing difficult circumstances.
For more information about the project, see this recent interview with Sandra Bonfigli, a procurement assistant in the UPU’s Development Cooperation Directorate.
I learn something new every day: A Conversation with UPU’s Sandra Bonfigli
“The UPU is at the centre of a
global network, and UPU staff, including the wonderful people I work
with, are working tirelessly to help improve the situation of
countries.”
1. Please describe your role at the Universal Postal Union
I have been with the UPU for nearly 30 years and work in the Procurement Unit of the Development and Cooperation Directorate (DCDEV). Our directorate coordinates cooperation projects for the postal sector.
The unit’s role is to identify and procure equipment needed for cooperation projects and to find the best means of purchasing equipment needed by our member countries all around the world.
To do this, various factors are taken into account, such as the geographical location of the country and the availability of equipment in local or regional markets. As far as possible, we also try to anticipate any difficulties with transport or delivery.
Although cooperation projects follow a four-year cycle between Congresses, we often intervene during emergency situations. Indeed, it is DCDEV’s role to help get postal services up and running again as quickly as possible following certain natural disasters.
I have been very lucky to work in this area and to be in a position to provide concrete help to our member countries. It is extremely rewarding work, which has kept me motivated throughout my time here at the International Bureau.
One of the most important initiatives I was involved in was a large-scale project to provide equipment to Haiti after the massive earthquake in January 2010. This was a humanitarian disaster that ravaged the postal infrastructure. Responding quickly we managed to rebuild a sorting centre in a few short months, after which people were able to receive letters and parcels from families abroad. We literally worked day and night to make this happen and the project continues to mean a lot to me. I think it is safe to say that, in this line of work, you are learning something new every day.
2. How did this project to provide Personal Protective Equipment to postal operators in least developed countries begin?
The project to provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) came about
quite naturally. It started when we realized the sheer extent of the
COVID-19 pandemic and the speed it was spreading across the world. Faced
with this crisis, we immediately began to think about how the UPU could
assist postal workers courageously serving on the front line.
We explored all possible avenues for purchasing protective equipment, but at that point in time, the equipment was simply not available. There was a shortage of masks and disinfectant worldwide.
We decided that the best way to source this equipment would be to work together with other United Nations organizations. That is when we began working with UNOPS, which was already purchasing other PPE for other organizations. It was a natural partner in this endeavour.
3. What difficulties did you encounter?
We explored all possible avenues for purchasing protective equipment, but at that point in time, the equipment was simply not available. There was a shortage of masks and disinfectant worldwide.
We decided that the best way to source this equipment would be to work together with other United Nations organizations. That is when we began working with UNOPS, which was already purchasing other PPE for other organizations. It was a natural partner in this endeavour.
3. What difficulties did you encounter?
Although we moved quickly, acquiring the equipment proved difficult. The crisis was really in full force when we were beginning our project; but no one at that time could have predicted its global impact.
In the first instance, governments began frantically acquiring masks, gloves and disinfectant for health workers, and we were unable to purchase the quantities we had originally planned. Then, almost inevitably, supply chain problems made it hard to get hold of any equipment at all. Happily, we have now managed to put everything in place and have been able to procure a large number of masks.
The next problem was that most airlines are currently grounded, so we relied on our partnership with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) to find the quickest and most secure means of transporting the equipment to beneficiary countries. The delivery will soon take place and I am grateful for the support and assistance of UNOPS.
4. What has been the UPU’s role in this important project?
The role of the UPU, and specifically the DCDEV, has been to mobilize a response together with our key partners, and to understand the importance of the human element of this issue.
Our regular contributors – China, France, Japan and Switzerland – pledged contributions to top up the UPU's funds to help get this project off the ground. In addition, DCDEV includes regional programmes with on-the-ground expertise, a disaster-risk-management unit and a goods and services procurement unit. Having this experience under one roof has made it much easier to implement the project.
We have all worked in the spirit of collaboration and I have been able to rely on the invaluable support of my colleagues who have each contributed to this project in their own particular way. I am particularly grateful to Silvia Baratech who has given her all to this project and who works with me in the Procurement Unit.
We are also fortunate to have extensive experience of working remotely with postal partners around the world. This crisis has shown us that the network of contacts we have gradually established and the trust built up during these years is bearing fruit.
The UPU is at the centre of a global network, and UPU staff, including the wonderful people I work with, are working tirelessly to help improve the situations of countries.
5. Why is PPE so important to postal operators in less developed countries during the COVID-19 pandemic?
As we all know, human capital is at the heart of the Post and is key to its proper functioning. Postal staff work in close cooperation with one another at all levels of the supply chain, including collection, sorting, transport and delivery. Postal staff are continuously in contact with their customers and partners. The pandemic has exposed postal staff to a high level of risk in almost every part of their daily working lives. The PPE is therefore paramount to their safety.
In fact, the DCDEV is currently examining options for another project of this scale to further support postal staff and offer additional assistance to the least developed countries and other countries facing particularly difficult circumstances.
Thursday, 30 July 2020
Circle Union writes to NFPE to appraise the Directorate to to drop the proposal of opening of Delivery Post Offices on 1st and 2nd August, 2020 for delivery of Rakhi mail
No. P3NFPE-Odisha/09 - 07/2020
Dated at Bhubaneswar the 30th July, 2020
To,
Com.
R N Parashar
Secretary
General, NFPE
North
Avenue P O Building, New Delhi – 110 001
Sub:- Regarding inhumane order of the Directorate to
deliver Rakhi Mail on 01.08.2020 (Holiday) and 02.08.2020 (Sunday)
Ref:- Directorate letter No. 30-07/2020-D, dated 29.07.2020
Respected Comrade,
As
aware, the Directorate vide its letter under reference has directed all Circle
Heads to arrange special Rakhi delivery
on 1st and 2nd August, 2020 so as to ensure that no Rakhi
mail remain pending in Delivery Post
Offices.
Accordingly, Odisha Circle has issued order to keep all
Delivery Post Offices open on the above 2 days for delivery of Rakhi mails.
This might be the situation in all other Circles also.
In this context,
this is to intimate that flow of Rakhi mail is very poor during this pandemic
situation and the post offices are quite particular in delivering all the Rakhi
mails on the day of receipt itself. There is no pending of any kind of mail except
in containment zones.
Thus, there is no need of opening the Delivery Post
Offices for 2 days on 01.08.2020 which is a holiday and on 02.08.2020 which is
Sunday. This is nothing but an intentional exploitation and a deliberate harassment
to the COVID-19 Warriors of India Post on the plea of delivering Rakhi Mail. The
Department should not issue such inhumane order since Rakhi mail does not fall
under essential category which is the priority of the Department during this
crisis of COVID-19 pandemic.
Therefore,
it is requested to appraise the Directorate to drop the proposal of opening of
Delivery Post Offices on 1st and 2nd August, 2020 immediately
and allow the COVID-19 Warriors to stay at home and to stay safe.
Since,
there is only one working day left, i.e. 31.07.2020, this may kindly be given
priority.
With regards.
Comradely yours,
(Bruhaspati Samal)
Circle Secretary
Leader, RJCM (Staff Side) appraises the Chief PMG, Odisha Circle demi-officially for expeditious settlement of compensation of Rs.10 lakh to cover death due to COVID-19
D O No.
OD / RJCM-COVID-19/2020
Dated at Bhubaneswar the 30th July,
2020
Respected
Sir,
This
is regarding expeditious settlement of compensation of Rs.10 lakh to cover
death of Girija Prasad Dash, Ex-PA, Parlakhemundi HO due to COVID-19 as
requested by me vide RJCM DO letter dated 18.07.2020 which has also been
acknowledged vide C O letter No. WL/RJCM (RA)/2016, dated 20.07.2020 with reply
that necessary action has already been initiated by all concerned in this
regard.
But as confirmed from Rayagada
Division, no action has yet been taken by the Divisional administration except
payment of the immediate financial assistance through the concerned beat
postman of his residence in Berhampur. Even, we have failed to serve a condolence
message to his family. The Divisional administration is waiting for submission
of the required application by his widowed wife with required documents in
accordance with the guidelines contained in Directorate letter No. 100 – 4 /
2020 – Pen, Dated 17.04.2020 and No.100 – 4 / 2018 - Pen, Dated 01.06.2018
which direct the dependents of the victim to make application to the Designated
Officer with several documents like proof of age of the victim, Death
Certificate of the victim, copy of FIR and proof of applicant’s relationship
with the victim etc.
In this context, my suggestion is that
proof of age is not at all required since it is already in the service record
of the employee who died in harness.
Secondly, insisting upon Death
Certificate is a time consuming factor during this pandemic situation since
offices are not functioning full-fledged. The Doctor’s Certificate of the COVID-19
Hospital is the sufficient proof to process the claim case.
Thirdly, when the entire family is in
distress due to sad demise of the employee, it may be inhumane to ask the
dependents to apply. The application should be collected from the widow or any
other eligible family members from the door point as a mark of respect to the
deceased COVID-19 Warrior by the officer / official effecting payment of
immediate financial assistance in addition to delivering a condolence message
which will expedite the claim process. However, at the time of payment, the
Department may insist upon the undertaking and other certificates required if
any.
In the meantime, we have already
witnessed the 2nd COVID-19 death case. Rabindranath Pradhan, GDS
BPM, Baunsalundi BO in account with Jillundi SO under Aska Division who had
been admitted to COVID Hospital Berhampur was expired on 29.07.2020.
The family members of the deceased
COVID-19 Warriors are waiting with much expectation for immediate settlement of
the compensation.
Therefore, I would like to sincerely
appeal you to direct the concerned Divisional Heads for collection of required
application / documents from the door point of the deceased COVID Warriors and
process both the above cases with the Certificate issued by COVID-19 Hospital for
expeditious settlement of compensation of Rs.10 lakh with due regards to the
sacrifices of the deceased warriors.
Hope, you will give every priority to
these sensitive issues.
With warm
regards.
Yours
faithfully,
(Bruhaspati Samal)
Leader (Staff Side)
To
Col. Jaleswar Kanhar, IPoS
Chief PMG – Cum – Chairman, RJCM
Odisha Circle, Bhubaneswar – 751 001
Circle Union writes to NFPE to appraise Directorate for expeditious settlement of compensation of Rs.10 lakh to cover death due to COVID-19 in relaxation of existing guidelines
No. P3NFPE-Odisha/08 - 07/2020
Dated at Bhubaneswar the 30th July, 2020
To,
Com.
R N Parashar
Secretary
General, NFPE
North
Avenue P O Building, New Delhi – 110 001
Sub:- Expeditious settlement of compensation of
Rs.10 lakh to cover death due to COVID-19 in relaxation of existing guidelines
- reg
Ref:- Directorate letter No. 100 – 4 / 2020 – Pen,
Dated 17.04.2020 and No.100 – 4 / 2018 - Pen, Dated 01.06.2018
Respected Comrade,
Inviting
your attention towards the Directorate letters referred to above, we would like
to suggest as follows for expeditious settlement of compensation of Rs.10 lakh
to cover death due to COVID-19 in relaxation of the existing guidelines.
Para
– 7 (a) of the guidelines annexed to Directorate letter dated 01.06.2018 directs
the dependents of the victim to make application to the Designated Officer
within a period of 90 days with several documents like proof of age of the
victim, Death Certificate of the victim, copy of FIR and proof of applicant’s
relationship with the victim etc.
In
this context, our suggestion is that proof of age is not at all required since it
is already in the service record of the employee who died in harness.
Secondly,
insisting upon Death Certificate is a time consuming factor during this
pandemic situation since offices are not functioning full-fledged. The Doctor’s
Certificate of the COVID Hospital is the sufficient proof to process the file.
Thirdly,
when the entire family is in distress due to sad demise of the employee, it may
be inhumane to ask the dependents to apply. Presently, we are also in practice
of paying existing immediate financial assistance on behalf of the Department
to the family member of the deceased employee without any application. In
similar manner, it would be better if the Department collects the application
from the widow / widower or any other eligible family members from the door
point as a mark of respect to the deceased COVID-19 Warrior in addition to
delivering a condolence message. As such, if the Department really wants to
honour these COVID-19 Warriors in real sense, it should it should be initiated
from Department’s side. However, at the time of payment, the Department may
insist upon the undertaking and other certificates required if any.
It
may kindly noted that nothing has progressed yet against 1st
COVID-19 death case of Odisha Circle which happened on 18.07.2020 (Girija
Prasad Dash, PA, Parlakhemundi HO under Rayagada Division of Berhampur Region)
on the plea of non-submission of application by the widow with required
documents.
Therefore,
it is requested to appraise the Directorate to relax the guidelines as
suggested above for expeditious settlement of compensation of Rs.10 lakh to
cover death due to COVID-19 for paying proper regards to the deceased warriors
of COVID-19.
With regards.
Comradely yours,
(Bruhaspati Samal)
Circle Secretary