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Author: digital
New commitments made by the electricity distribution company Eneo
[Quality electricity for all]:
Faced with multiple complaints of overbilling members of the association, a working session with the commercial delegate of Douala Center made it possible to make new commitments to improve access to the electricity serviceThe first contact with the new Managing Director Eric Mansuy of the company Eneo led to a working session on September 11, 2020. It should be recalled that this meeting follows the non-violent action of September 9, 2020 which made it possible to renew the collaboration between the association and the Eneo company. To this end, one of the commitments was to systematize working sessions to take stock of the supply of electricity service (connection requests, processing of requests, abuse of agents, etc.). Faced with new complaints of overbilling, the Douala Center trade commissioner Ms. Leila Metiegoum invited the association on June 9, 2021 to a working session to review the overall situation.
The new commitments made by the Douala center trade commissioner:
1. The reorganization of connection campaigns up to 51,257 FCFA for single-phase prepaid meters (02 lines)
2. Compliance with the 5-day deadline for processing requests and connection requests between 10 and 20 days
3.The provision of the OnEstEnsemble association, an information note signed between ARSEL (Regulatory Agency for the Electricity Sector) and Eneo, on improving the quality of service
4. Provision of customers, service regulations (user obligations, formulation of requests and connection requests, etc.) via display channels and digital platforms
5. The organization of quarterly meetings between Eneo and the associationThe next step will be to meet the technical manager in charge of network maintenance, Mrs. Yvonne Mauger, to take stock of the renewal of defective electrical infrastructure in the neighborhoods.
#WeAreTogether
[Electricité de qualité pour tous] : De nouveaux engagements pris par l’entreprise de distribution de l’électricité Eneo
Face aux multiples plaintes de surfacturation des membres de l’association, une séance de travail avec la déléguée commerciale de Douala Centre a permis de prendre de nouveaux engagements pour améliorer l’accès au service d’électricité
La prise de contact avec le nouveau Directeur général Éric Mansuy de l’entreprise Eneo a débouché sur une séance de travail le 11 septembre 2020. Il faudrait rappeler que cette rencontre fait suite à l’action non violente du 9 septembre 2020 qui a permis de renouer la collaboration entre l’association et l’entreprise Eneo. A cet effet, l’un des engagements était de systématiser les séances de travail pour faire le point sur la fourniture du service d’électricité (demandes de branchement, traitement des requêtes, abus des agents etc.). Face aux nouvelles plaintes de surfacturation, la déléguée commerciale de Douala Centre Mme Leila Metiegoum a convié l’association le 09 Juin 2021 à une séance de travail pour le point sur la situation globale.
Les nouveaux engagements pris par la déléguée commerciale Douala centre :
- La réorganisation des campagnes de branchement à hauteur de 51.257 FCFA pour les compteurs prépayés monophasés (02 files)
- Le respect du délai de 5 jours pour le traitement des requêtes et les demandes de branchement compris entre 10 et 20 jours
- La mise à disposition de l’association OnEstEnsemble, une note d’information signée entre ARSEL (Agence de régulation du secteur d’électricité) et Eneo, sur l’amélioration de la qualité de service
- La Mise à la disposition des clients, le règlement de service (obligations des usagers, formulation des requêtes et demandes de branchement…) via les canaux d’affichage et les plateformes digitales
- L’organisation des rencontres trimestrielles entre Eneo et l’association
La prochaine étape sera de rencontrer la responsable technique en charge de la maintenance des réseaux Madame Yvonne Mauger pour faire le point sur le renouvellement des infrastructures électriques défectueuses dans les quartiers.
Flood Survivors take refuge at the town hall
Faced with the silence of the City Mayor, households came to settle in the dry with their sheets, thermos, and mats in front of the urban community of Douala.On Wednesday, April 21, 2021, around thirty residents of Makepe Maturity, Bepanda Yonyong, Makepe 1 Missoke, and Bepanda Petit Wouri came with blankets, cups to take refuge on the forecourt of the town hall in Bonanjo, to “flee the serious danger to which they are exposed in their neighborhood because of the floods and find refuge” within the town hall.
Indeed, the major drainage works were supposed to provide a lasting solution to the risk of flooding in certain exposed neighborhoods of Douala, but the suspension of the site has only worsened the situation over the past 2 years, particularly on the sector downstream of the Truth Bridge, which separates Yonyong and Tsf-Cacao Barry on one side and Missoke on the other. Due to the Reduction of the cleaning area, the abandonment of concrete in the construction, and the suspension of work: the first floods were quick to appear with the first heavy rains.Following this the residents called the delegate to the Douala Urban Community (CUD) at the time, without response. Residents of the 4 neighborhoods, therefore, suffered from flooding throughout the rainy season last year. Mr. Kouo Daniel, saw dozens of chickens washed away, while he was about to sell them; Mr. Zeufo, owner of the Vérité primary school, saw his classrooms filled with water, forcing the students and teachers to concentrate in the rooms upstairs. Parents feared the worst for the little ones who could be swept away by water currents. Much material damage was observed in the homes. A petition was thus initiated, asking for the resumption of work, with the same rigor as at the start of the work, up to the Bao Bridge: in a few weeks, more than 200 signatures were collected. The petition, accompanied by a reminder letter, was thus filed on December 17, 2020.
The mobilization made it possible to meet the Chief of Staff of the Mayor who undertook to bring down the person in charge of the drains on the ground in order to assess and estimate the needs for the rest of the work. He will also organize discussions between the Association and these officials in order to find ways to contain the rainwater during the next rainy season.#NoFLood
#WeAreTogehter
les habitants touchés par les inondations viennent se réfugier à la mairie de ville
Face au silence du Maire de Ville, des ménages sont venus s’installer au sec avec leur draps, thermos et nattes devant la communauté urbaine de Douala.
Mercredi 21 Avril 2021, une trentaine d’habitants des quartiers Makepe Maturité, Bepanda Yonyong, Makepe 1 Missoke et Bepanda Petit Wouri sont venus munis de couvertures, tasses et thermos se réfugier sur le parvis de la mairie de ville à Bonanjo, pour « fuir le grave danger auquel ils sont exposés dans leur quartier à cause des inondations et trouver refuge » au sein de l’hôtel de ville.
En effet, les grands travaux de drainage devaient permettre d’apporter une solution durable aux risques d’inondations de certains quartiers exposés de Douala, mais la suspension du chantier n’a fait qu’aggraver la situation ces 2 dernières années, notamment sur le secteur en aval du Pont Vérité, qui sépare Yonyong et Tsf-Cacao Barry d’un côté et Missoke de l’autre. Réduction de la zone de curage, abandon du béton dans la construction, puis suspension des travaux : de premières inondations n’ont pas tardé à apparaitre aux premières grandes pluies.
Les habitants ont alors interpellé le délégué auprès de la communauté urbaine de Douala (CUD) de l’époque, sans réponse. Les riverains des 4 quartiers ont donc subi les inondations pendant toute la saison des pluies de l’année dernière. Monsieur Kouo Daniel, a vu des dizaines de poulets emportés par les eaux, alors qu’il était sur le point de les vendre ; Monsieur Zeufo, propriétaire de l’école primaire Vérité, a vu ses salles de classes remplies d’eau, obligeant les élèves et professeurs à se concentrer dans les salles à l’étage. Les parents craignaient le pire pour les tous petits qui pouvaient être entrainés par des courants d’eau. De nombreux dégâts matériel ont été constatés dans les foyers. Une pétition a ainsi été initiée, demandant la reprise des travaux, selon la même rigueur qu’au début des travaux, jusqu’au Pont Bao : en quelques semaines, plus de 200 signatures ont été collectées. La pétition, accompagnée d’un courrier de relance, a ainsi été déposée le 17 décembre 2020.
La mobilisation a permis de rencontrer le Chef de Cabinet du Maire qui s’est engagé à faire descendre le responsable des drains sur le terrain afin d’évaluer et estimer les besoins pour la suite du travail. Il organisera également des discussions entre l’Association et ces responsables afin de trouver des moyens pouvant contenir les eaux de pluies durant la prochaine saison de pluies.
#NonAuxInondations
Voices of Dharavi
Minal Diwan, an ACORN member in the Dharavi area of Mumbai. She is 27-years old and has been unemployed since the pandemic closed her workplace. Her 23-year-old brother is also without work. The entire family is living on the 8000 rupees ($107.85 USD) her father makes. They have been living in Dharavi all of her life. Their rent and utilities there cost 5000 rupees ($67.41), so they survive on only 3000 rupees or about $40 for the month. She credits the rations that she has received from ACORN with support from RIST for their survival. 
ACORN Delhi: Reports from the field
Brief report on the Delhi Chapters Most recent achievements 
Pictured one ration kit 
August 12th the chapter conducted Govt training on food safety and hygiene 
ACORN Canada: ‘Rally for Herongate’ challenges local property development
Timbercreek (also called Hazelview), a well-known property developer in Ottawa, has applied for an Official Plan Amendment (OPA) with the city’s government, proposing to redevelop the Herongate area for the next 20 years.
That’s right: two-zero. As in, two decades of one company having free reign over an area’s development.
ACORN Ottawa sprang into action by submitting a list of tenant’s demands to city officials, which must include the following, among other demands, if the OPA is to be granted:- 25-35% affordable housing with an emphasis on DEEP affordability
- Affordable childcare space
- Local job hiring pre and post construction
- Affordable retail space for small businesses
- Continued maintenance of units and proactive inspections by the City
- Quarterly reports on progress presented to tenants and community organizations in the neighborhood
Local ACORN members followed this list of demands with a Rally for Herongate to push for affordable housing, no demovictions, and no displacement of the local community. Check out highlights from their action below:
ACORN India: Dharavi Rocks releases new music video, “Vaada Karo”
ACORN India affiliate Dharavi Rocks, located in Mumbai, has recently released a new song with singer Suneeta Rao and musician Dhruv Ghanekar.
The new song was inspired by a study which linked climate change to a rising risk of pandemics, particularly in vulnerable communities. The song is an appeal to take care of our planet as well as each other, and calls for mindfulness about public safety during the COVID-19 crisis.
The ongoing COVID crisis in India has affected some of the country’s most vulnerable communities, who are also affected by climate change. As singer and lyricist Suneeta Rao states, “Climate Change is a problem that threaten us all…no matter what country or belief system we belong to. It is time we looked after one another and ourselves… It’s time we realized what is most important…and what it means to be Human.”
Rao has also stated that all surplus funds from the new song will be directed to ACORN India.
Dharavi Rocks is an educational music and dance project initiated by ACORN Foundation, which focuses on the welfare of slum children and waste collectors by introducing them to creative outlets like music and dance in order to pass on and encourage valuable life skills.
Watch the new video featuring the Dharavi Rocks band below:If you’re interested in supporting Dharavi Rocks and ACORN India, click the button or check out the information provided on the flyer below.
ACORN India: Vaccines and PPE distribution as COVID Relief efforts continue
ACORN India organizers prepare to distribute rations to communities affected by COVID-19 From providing resources like reliable taxi services to quarantine isolation centers, to handing out food rations and speaking out against police malpractice, ACORN India has been hard at work as organizers mobilized quickly as the COVID crisis worsened within the country.
Dharmendra Kumar, of the ACORN India affiliate Hawkers’ Joint Action Committee, reported that they have received more than 250 calls in the last two weeks from community members, and are providing relief services that include distributing food kits, registering people for the COVID vaccine, helping with applications for credit assistance from the government, and offering counseling to patients with COVID.
Food kits provide valuable resources such as kitchen staples and PPE masks Farther south in Bengaluru, organizers have reported that they’ve distributed 200 food kits — approximately 14,000 meals — as well as additional food and hygiene kits in Hebbal and Yelahanka areas. ACORN members also received services such as credit application assistance, and some informal workers also received their official ACORN ID cards. ID cards have been an especially difficult aspect of COVID for informal workers and migrant laborers, who previously needed them in order to receive food rations from the government before the governments of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana loosened restrictions. These governments also recently announced that they would open a community kitchen and begin advertisements for places that would assist stranded migrant laborers.
Although the government of India has begun to provide a modicum of COVID relief, ACORN India still needs your help!
Check out the link below to donate, or get involved through the information on the flyer.
ACORN India: Food donations to vendors continues
As India grapples with the latest surge in COVID-19 cases, ACORN India members and affiliates have stepped in to provide resources to local communities in need.
In Bengaluru, organizers helped distribute food kits to approximately 100 vendors, many of whom are out of work due to the pandemic. These kits include kitchen staples and dry rations, as well as PPE equipment.
A standard dry-ration kit with PPE products, meant to last for 1 week for a family of 5 Although informal workers make up nearly 93% of India’s working population, they are still a relatively unprotected and vulnerable group. Dharmendra Kumar, member of the Hawkers’ Joint Action Committee in Delhi, was quoted in the press recently speaking of the lack of adequate medical supplies:
As far as street vendors are concerned, with most of them being migrants, there are not many people here whom they can approach for assistance – especially in today’s time when even the well-off groups are finding themselves helpless.
ACORN India needs your help. If you are interested in donating to our organizers, click the link below:
ACORN Scotland: Elections, Evictions, and May Day Celebrations
Living Rent, ACORN International’s branch in Scotland, has been hard at work recently defending members against landlords, protesting forced evictions, and speaking out against injustices in their local communities.
Here’s what they’ve been up to lately:
EVICTIONS
Living Rent continues their ongoing campaign against evictions, with members being featured in the media in their fight against unfair or forced evictions.
Living Rent: Croftamie member Marjorie was threatened with eviction for not “having a durable connection to the area”, also known as: xenophobiaEvictions have been widespread in Scotland, including areas such as North Lanarkshire, Govanhill, Edinburgh, and Pollokshields. Tenants have been threatened and intimidated by landlords, and have also been subjected to inhospitable living conditions, including intense mold.
Living Rent’s response has been to file for an extension on the eviction ban, and group support to protect individual members.
ELECTIONS
Scotland recently held elections for the next Government, and Living Rent worked to raise awareness among voters to boost their familiarity on candidate and party policies on relevant issues to each Living Rent branch, such as the developing housing crisis, arrears, rising rents, and climate change.
Check out the link to find out more, get involved, and take action with Living Rent.
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