Climate disaster and global economic injustice: Emmaus calls attention to the impact of climate change in India

Two days ago, I got a call from my relatives in a village in Punjab. Their home is already filled with water due to unusual heavy rains. The family has taken shelter on the open roof… many others have even lost their homes, animals, crops, everything… In Delhi the situation is not very different, where due to heavy rain, water has entered in many houses, forcing poor people to leave and take shelter in open having sleepless nights.

Testimony of Moon Sharma (Emmaus Tara Projects Association)

The unprecedented floods hitting northern India since August (Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kashmir) have been devastating. Thousands of families have been displaced, villages wiped out, and more than 250,000 people have been affected in the Indian Punjab. Emmaus groups in India, such as the Tara Projects Association, warn of the worsening situation for people in precarious economic situations, who are already very vulnerable.

In addition to natural disasters, there are geopolitical tensions and global economic injustices. Taxes imposed by the United States continue to stifle solidarity trade channels and these measures directly affect groups such as the Tara Projects Association, whose activity partly relies on fair trade.

Social and environmental justice is one of the three struggles of the Movement, emphasising environmental awareness raising and protection. In India, Emmaus groups denounce the felling of trees, the pollution of rivers, pervasive construction and the numerous land violations that have contributed to these climatic disasters.

Emmaus groups are taking action alongside vulnerable populations to combat the consequences of global warming and human rights violations. If you want to contribute to international solidarity, find us on Get Involved. You can also read about groups’ initiatives for social and environmental justice on our website.