The post Water well construction – Bangladesh appeared first on UMR.

It left millions in dire need. Amidst the hardship, the United Mission for Relief & Development (UMR) is a glimmer of hope. UMR teams up with UNICEF USA to help these people bear the cold weather.

UMR and UNICEF USA Collaboration for Winter Relief

The summer of 2022 brought unprecedented challenges to Pakistan. A historic monsoon left its mark. As a result, they would run into increased suffering during winter. So, UMR joined forces with UNICEF USA. The collaboration aimed to provide essential winter supplies. Together, they helped the families affected by the catastrophic flood with:

• Clothing
• Hats
• Hygiene kits
• Shelter

The floods have directly impacted 33 million people, including 16 million children. Over a million houses have been destroyed, and the death toll exceeds 1,500. UMR and UNICEF USA express deep concern for the millions of families. As of now, 33 million people, including 16 million children, have been directly impacted by the floods. With freezing temperatures approaching, we worked to offer the most basic necessities.

The Current Condition of Pakistan

This picturesque nation has over 202 million population. Nearly 24.3% of the population faces the daily challenges of poverty. Also, they meet with recurring landslides. These statistics represent families, children, and individuals facing adversity. Adding to the complexity, the majority of Pakistan’s population is young, with 64% under the age of 30. These are the faces of the future, experiencing challenges beyond their years. Then again, the national intervention doesn’t reach poor rural households.

UMR’s Compassionate Approach

Understanding the urgency of disaster response, we adopted an agile approach. Our micro targeted interventions swiftly reach disaster-affected people in remote and real areas. Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals, UMR has been working to improve lives. Through our programs, we are addressing the pressing needs of the vulnerable communities:

• Water sanitation
• Child Protection
• Food Distribution

Why Continued Support is Essential

In a time of need, every donation, regardless of its size, matters. It makes a difference in the lives of those who have lost everything. UMR’s initiatives have already benefited over 65,000 individuals through nutritious food aid. Also, more than 600 orphans have received essential services. As winter intensifies, the need for ongoing support becomes even more critical. Your support through UMR can help rebuild the shattered spirits of the people.

Collaborating with UMR

UMR and UNICEF USA helped millions affected by the devastating floods in Pakistan. As winter sets in, the call for help remains urgent. Uniting with UMR, you become a source of comfort and support for fellow human beings. We are committed to the global goal of building a more inclusive and resilient world.

Actively participate in alleviating poverty and hunger and improving access to healthcare. In a world of uncertainty, we can collectively rebuild lives and restore hope.

This winter, share warmth with a family in need. When you donate through UMR, you are helping UNICEF provide families in Pakistan with lifesaving aid.

Donate here: cutt.ly/EMGbnSF

Information Resource:

https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/climate-devastation-pakistan-ominous-precursor-catastrophes-come

You can Also Read:

• UMR Partners with SAAB RDS

The post UMR Partners with UNICEF USA for Winter Relief Distribution in Pakistan appeared first on UMR.

Bangladesh, a South Asian country in the Ganges Delta, is prone to natural disasters. Sitrang, a strong cyclone, hit the country recently. It hit the coast of Bangladesh on October 24, 2022.

More than 10,000 people have lost their homes and 36 deaths have been officially reported. In Southwest Bangladesh, the cyclone induced a tidal surge that swamped coastal areas and devastated crops and fisheries.

More than 10 million people still do not have access to electricity in the Southwest Belt of Bangladesh. Not to mention the crisis occurs at a time when the nation is facing a power crisis.

Destroyed livelihood – struggles of a poverty-stricken community

Tropical cyclone Sitrang took a massive toll on the communities in densely-populated, low-lying areas. 10,000 homes were damaged, and more than 6,000 hectares (15,000 acres) of crops were destroyed. The loss amounts to 21,000 tonnes of paddy. Moreover, thousands of fishing projects have been washed away. The storm alone caused aquaculture producers to lose Tk 68 crore, according to the initial estimates of fisheries officials.

The cyclone destroyed families’ access to subsistence, primarily agriculture and fishing. Millions of people will likely have to start over with only clothing on their backs. This will be extremely difficult for a community that is already enduring extreme poverty.

Hence, the cyclone victims urgently need financial support to overcome the adversity.

UMR’s Emergency Response

UMR has launched a Bangladesh Cyclone Emergency project in response. We are providing emergency food kits, consisting of daily necessities such as rice, potatoes, lentils, cooking oil, and other essentials to withstand the calamity. Additionally, we are delivering hygiene packs filled with supplies like soap and towels.

Join us in our relief efforts to alleviate the post-disaster impact of Sitrang. To support the victims in overcoming the crisis, make a meaningful contribution today here: https://umrelief.org//bangladesh-cyclone

The post Cyclone Sitrang Slams 10,000 Homes in Bangladesh appeared first on UMR.

The post Pakistan Flood Crushed Over 30 Million People appeared first on UMR.

Who are Rohingya? 

The Rohingya are a minority Muslim ethnic group. They come from the Rakhine state of Myanmar. Very few of them are practicing Buddhists. They generally speak the Rohingya dialect. But, they may also speak English, Bangla, Burmese, and Chittagonian. They dress in the Indo-Burmese traditional style. Songs and musical plays are an integral part of their culture.

History of the Rohingya Crisis: 

The Rohingya Crisis dates back to the 1940s. At that time, Myanmar (Burma) gained independence from the British. The British policies motivated many Rohingya to migrate to Myanmar. Often recruited in the rice fields, their population grew. The Muslim population reportedly tripled in the 1870s because of such migrant activities. 

The British promised the Rohingya their separate land if they supported them. It was a promise they didn’t intend to keep. The Rohingya sided with the British during World War II. But, the Myanmar nationalists were on the Japanese side. Their reward was prestigious government positions but no land at the war’s end.

After the fall of colonialism, the Rohingya continued to demand an autonomous state. But the Rohingya association with the British bred resentment towards them. The Nationalist government regarded them as foreigners. In 1950, the army quashed a Rohingya revolt demanding an autonomous state. They endured a series of attacks. It forced them to flee to Bangladesh, Malaysia, India, Thailand, and Indonesia. A more significant percentage of the Rohingya are refugees in Bangladesh. 

Rohingya Fleeing for Safety

The 700,000 who recently fled in 2017 joined others who had earlier run. They found homes in the Kuputalong Camp (in Cox’s Bazar district)in Bangladesh. Kuputalong became the biggest refugee camp in the world. It houses over 880,000 Rohingya refugees. 

Citizenship Act and Rohingya: 

The enactment of the Citizenship Act of Myanmar took place in 1982. According to this act, a national group or race that existed before British rule are citizens. A census confirms the presence of an indigenous ethnic group, ‘Rooinga.’ 

Some claims assert that the Rohingyas had lived in the Rakhine state of Myanmar as far back as the 12th century. Myanmar has not considered any of these claims. The country consistently denied Rohingya citizenship. They are instead viewed as illegal immigrants or, at best, ‘ resident foreigners. Bangladesh, where many Rohingyas have had to flee, do not consider them as citizens either. As such, the Rohingyas are stateless and deprived of any government protection.

Rohingya Treatment in Myanmar: 

Rohingya children born outside Myanmar are not considered citizens of these countries. Those who choose to stay behind in Myanmar suffer deprivation of benefits. They are subject to restrictions. They do not enjoy quality healthcare, education, or employment. There are government restrictions on the number of children they should have. They can have only 2 children. They need to seek permission to marry. This process involves presenting a photo of the bride and a clean-shaven-faced groom. Both practices do not agree with Muslim customs. They also need permission to move or travel out.

Rohingya Genocide: 

The news of fleeing Rohingya refugees caught the world’s attention in 2017. Even so, the television scenes of the March 2021 fires jolted the world’s conscience. Before then, Cox’s Bazar was familiar only to the humanitarian community. They had been grappling with the weight of this catastrophe for years. There are claims that the refugees had started making their way to Bangladesh as far back as the 1940s. Some documented reports show that they had begun to arrive in Bangladesh for help in 1977. At that time, Myanmar launched ‘Operation Dragon King’. It stripped the Rohingya of their citizenship status. Moreover, it led to mass arrests and persecution of the group. 

There is also pictorial evidence of refugees in Dumdumia Camp, Cox’s Bazar in 1992. 

Start of Genocide 

In 2017, the Buddhist indigenes faced reprisal attacks from the Myanmar army. This forced 700,000 Rohingya refugees to seek refuge in the town. Earlier, a group of Rohingya insurgents attacked police posts. It killed 12 members of the security forces in the process. 

The Myanmar army and the locals unleashed vengeance on Rohingya homes and property. Rape, sexual slavery, torture, kidnappings, and the killing of civilians were reported. Unverified reports claim that over 1,000 Rohingyas lost their lives in the 2017 brawl. Others who barely managed to survive joined in the mass exodus to Cox’s Bazar.

Repatriation Agreement: 

In 2018, Bangladesh and Myanmar signed a repatriation agreement. Rohingya refugees were not eager to return to Myanmar. They were skeptical of their warm gesture who they once regarded as neighbors. Rohingya leaders were not convinced of the sincerity of the process. They demanded safety upon their return to the Rakhine state. Their reinstatement of citizenship before any consideration would be given to repatriation.

On the other hand, Myanmar held fears that the Rohingyas could turn rebellious. They could solicit support from neighboring Islamic countries. The Myanmar government refused to let down its guard. Thus, it was no surprise that the repatriation agreement had little success.  The Myanmar government refused to let down its guard. Thus, it was no surprise that the repatriation agreement had little success. The January 2021 coup in Myanmar slowed down the resuscitation of repatriation talks. Both governments have only begun talking again in February this year. 

Struggles of Rohingya in Refugee Camps 

Fires are not the only obstacles the Rohingyas who have managed to flee Myanmar face. Bangladesh struggles with inadequate resources to cater to the needs of the refugees. The camps are overpopulated, and poor sanitary conditions abound. The risk of an outbreak of disease is always high. Inadequate medical facilities can exacerbate the danger. The available water supply is often contaminated and spreads waterborne diseases. Floods also contribute to rendering refugees homeless again. Most of the population is illiterate. 

Children do not have access to primary education. There are prohibitions on teachers from using both the Bangladeshi and Myanmar curricula. Children are not allowed to enroll in schools outside the camp. Camp occupants are barred from working outside the center. The Bangladeshi government sped up construction at Basan Char in 2019. 

Approximately 20,000 Rohingya refugees were ousted to the Island without any consent. They are not allowed to leave the Island with UN communication restrictions. 

Humanitarian Aid to Rohingya: 

Refugee rescue cases at sea are on the rise. Yet, their reunion with families is not adequate. The government overlooks the outcry and concerns about the safety of the Island. Bangladesh received criticism for handling the crisis. Notably, Bangladesh was once the only country that accepted refugees. At that time, others had turned their backs on them.

Support for Rohingya: 

Repatriation is a step in the right direction. The underlying issues should be resolved. Villages have reportedly been razed down. There are accommodations and construction of police barracks, buildings, and refugee camps. They will not be returning to the security of having homes and lands to call their own.

In 2021, the military takeover put the Rohingya in a precarious situation. The military was at the helm of affairs. The group has legitimate reasons to fear repatriation agreements. But, the agreements may be disregarded in favor of military promulgations.

Prejudices do not fade with government pronouncements. Effective measures should be in place to ensure that citizens obey the law. Discussions between the Rohingyas, Buddhist neighbors, and the Myanmar government. It can ease fear and build trust. The government tackles the concerns of the Rohingyas. 

Options for the Rohingyas today are limited. They can either embrace the hardship of refugee life or stay at ‘home’ and remain oppressed. I sincerely hope the story will not be the same in a year or two.

The post Attempting to Understand the Rohingya Crisis appeared first on UMR.

We are one of the few medical teams that the Bangladeshi government has given permission. This means that we can treat young children. Otherwise, they would get easily preventable diseases like the flu. These diseases can kill people in camps. 

We coordinate with Bangladeshi NGOs for medical staff and logistics support. They give us access to the internal parts of the camp. This project is being run with the help of meetings of the UN’s health cluster and volunteer doctors hired through IMANA.

The Sufferings of Rohingyas

This project, Ambulatory Clinics for Rohingyas, has been running since 2017. It has served hundreds of thousands of Rohingya. Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh is home to more than 800,000 Rohingya refugees. They were forced to flee their home due to a violent government crackdown in Myanmar in 2017. 

This area is more densely populated than some of the largest cities in the world. The majority of the refugees living there lack access to healthcare, proper sanitation, and decent living conditions. With the onset of COVID-19, experts are predicting that:

“This pandemic could set Bangladesh back by decades.”

Families live with up to 10 people in one room in the sweltering heat. It is impossible to maintain social distancing. With numbers upward of 19,000 confirmed cases of the virus in Bangladesh, it is only a matter of time before it spreads throughout the entire camp.

Overcrowding is a problem in itself. But many refugees who fled persecution in Myanmar have also health problems. On top of that, many haven’t gotten the standard vaccinations. It puts them at an even higher risk of contracting COVID-19. 

We have introduced Ambulatory Clinics to provide healthcare for the Rohingyas residing in Bangladesh. In order to reduce their misery and keep them safe from diseases like Covid-19. It is a significant project of ours.

The post Ambulatory Clinics (Rohingya) appeared first on UMR.

Sufferings of People

Three-quarters of the people live in rural areas, where things like running water and clean toilets are often considered luxuries. Bangladesh has one of the fastest rates of urbanization in Asia. Most of the 7 million people live in urban slums. Their numbers are growing quickly. They don’t have access to clean water, toilets, waste disposal systems, or sewer drainage.

The rural poor and people living in urban slums often have to drink and cook with unprotected surface water. Because they don’t have access to water supply infrastructure like tube wells and pipes.

World Bank’s Agglomeration Index is an alternative measure of urban concentration.  According to them, a lot of urbanization in Bangladesh is not included in official definitions and statistics. With poor WASH coverage and community awareness, an undercounted rural population moving to cities poses a high risk of disease outbreaks.

UMR’s funded project has given 112 deep, semi-deep, and shallow tube wells to 4,304 rural and urbanizing beneficiaries. And conducted beneficiary sensitization training on water safety, benefits of safe water, personal/environmental hygiene and maintenance of wells.

Beneficiary Feedback for Our Project

Below are the most common examples of beneficiary feedback, indicative of the general living conditions of the recipient population:

1. Traveling long distances for water and spread of water-borne disease:

[S.J.] (Aged 52) is a marginal farmer. His family comprises 6 members: “We collected safe water from a far distance. He said, “We could not install the tube well due to lack of money. Most people in this area have been suffering from water-borne diseases for a long time. The people of this area are very poor. […] After the field survey, UMR installed a new shallow tube well. Now we are getting safe water for drinking and domestic uses.” 

2. Use of unprotected, unimproved surface water and spread of water-borne disease:

[A.S.] (aged 38) is a Rickshaw Puller. His family consists of 7 members. He said “We could not install the tube well due to lack of money. We used pond water. Most of the people in this area have been suffering from water-borne diseases for a long time. We were collecting water from a far distance. The people of this area are very poor. After the field visit, UMR installed a new shallow tube well. Now we are getting pure water for drinking and domestic uses.” 6

3. Water available only in neighboring villages, and the spread of water-borne disease:

[M. A. H.] (age-55) is a poor mer. He said, “We had no tube well before this tube well was installed. The people of this area are very poor. We were collecting drinking water from the neighboring villages. Most people in this area have been suffering from water-borne diseases for a long time. We could not install the tube well due to a shortage of funds. After the field survey, UMR installed a new shallow tube well. So, we are pleased. Now we are getting fresh water for drinking and domestic uses.”

For more information:

• UNICEF (2012) Bangladesh SHEWA-B Factsheet.
• UNICEF (2012) Bangladesh SHEWA-B Factsheet.
• UNICEF (2012) Bangladesh SHEWA-B Factsheet.
• World Bank (2015) Bangladesh Country Brief.

Recorded by Muhammad Kotha Wala 7846 – July 2015. Address of the beneficiary: Upazila: Bagharpara, District: Jessore.

Recorded by Hadia Hamuri 7296 – July 2015. Address of the beneficiary: Upazila: Bagharpara, District: Jessore.

Recorded by Abul Azad 9029 – July 2015. Address of the beneficiary: Upazila: Jessore Sadar, District: Jessore.

The post Bangladesh Water Wells appeared first on UMR.

• Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh is currently the largest refugee camp in the world.
• Rohingya Refugees are in need of international protection and humanitarian help.

The plight of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, Cox’s Bazar is immense right now.

Who are the Rohingya Refugees?

UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the Rohingya as, “one of, if not the, most discriminated people in the world.”

Rohingya Muslims are one of the many ethnic minorities in Myanmar. However, in 2017, there was an extreme government crackdown. And Rohingya Muslims had to leave Myanmar to protect themselves from violence. The vast majority fled to Bangladesh, where they now live in tightly packed refugee camps. 

Rohingya Refugee Emergency at a Glance

Rohingya refugees are straining services and resources as the emergency and pandemic continue. According to the UNHCR;

Population 

Approximately 671,000 Refugees settled in Cox’s Bazar district since 2017

Shelter

Materials like bamboo, rope, and tarpaulins have been used to build more than 50,000 shelters. 75% of families share households/shelters

Congestion 

93% of refugees live below UNHCR’s emergency standard of 45 square meters per person

Natural Disaster Risks

Tropical monsoon climate weathers Cox’s Bazar. The area is prone to natural disasters because the weather changes with the seasons. From November to March, it is dry, and from April to October, it rains 72% of the time.  Cyclones may also hit Cox’s Bazar.

Landslides 

Over 23,000 people are at risk of serious landslides

Floods 

Over 400 hectares of flood-prone areas in Bangladesh. Floods affecting nearly 80,000 people

Public Health Services 

There are 149 clinics and 20 vaccination centers in Bangladesh’s Rohingya Refugee sites. As the pandemic gets worse, there are more deaths and diseases. There are a lot of respiratory infections and diarrheal diseases, like cholera, hepatitis E, and measles.

Nutrition & Food Security 

Acute malnutrition and anemia are common in 6-59-month-olds, exceeding the emergency threshold.

Water & Sanitation 

They need longer-term and sustainable sanitation solutions There are 7,275 hand pumps in the refugee campsites,

• 80% functional hand pumps.
• 99% of refugee populations live within 200 meters of functioning hand pumps.
• 3,275 of the hand pumps are in landslide or flood-prone refugee campsites.
• Escherichia coli has spread to 42% of water samples (Dec 2017).

UMR Interventions

UMR, in coordination with partners, works to provide ambulatory medical care to Rohingya refugees. Bangladesh has authorized very few medical teams and we are one of them. The government lets us treat young children who would otherwise get diseases that are easy to avoid. Such as the flu, which is lethal in camp settings. 

We coordinate with Bangladeshi NGOs for medical staff and logistics support to gain access to the internal parts of the camp. UN’s health cluster and volunteer doctors hired through IMANA is running this project.

Since its beginning in 2017, our project has helped many Rohingya refugees.

As COVID-19 spreads, experts expect that:

“This pandemic might give Bangladesh a decades-long setback.”

Families live with up to 10 people in one room in the sweltering heat, making social distancing impossible. 

With numbers upward of 19,000 confirmed cases of the virus in Bangladesh, it is only a matter of time before it spreads throughout the entire camp. 

Click to Read More:

• UNHCR – Rohingya Emergency 2020
• UNHCR  – Rohingya Refugee Emergency at a Glance
• HRW – “Bangladesh is Not My Country” – 2018

The post The Plight of Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh, Cox’s Bazar appeared first on UMR.

Cataract Missions – Life with Blindness

Cataract accounts for 30%-50% of blindness in most African and Asian countries. In impoverished countries, eliminating blindness and repairing vision returns four times the investment. This places eliminating avoidable blindness among the most effective interventions available. Cataract surgeries are life-changing and require no follow-up visits.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) “Cataracts are the primary cause of blindness and visual impairment. It has about 20 million cases and 5 million new cases each year.”

Life With Hearing Loss and Deafness

Loss of hearing can happen for many reasons. Such as –

• Genetic Causes, 
• Complications At Birth, 
• Certain Infectious Diseases, 
• Chronic Ear Infections, 
• The Use Of Particular Drugs, 
• Exposure To Excessive Noise, and 
• Aging.

Loss of hearing means that you can’t hear as well as someone with normal hearing. It means that your hearing level is at least 25 dB in both ears. Loss of hearing can happen in one or both ears. This makes it hard to understand words or hear loud noises.

Hard of hearing means hearing loss ranging from mild to severe. Hard-of-hearing people communicate using :

• Spoken language, 
• Hearing aids, 
• Cochlear implants, and 
• Other equipment.

Deafness is profound hearing loss. It implies very little or no hearing in an individual. They often use sign language for communication.

• 60% of hearing loss is because of preventable causes, in children under the age of 15.

• 1.1 billion individuals are at risk of hearing loss due to exposure to high noise. High risk for ages between 12–35 years.

• Over one-third of people over 65 years of age are affected by disabling hearing loss. Greater prevalence in South Asia, Asia Pacific and sub-Saharan Africa.

• The current production of hearing aids meets less than 10% of the worldwide need.

UMR Interventions

Since 2016, UMR has sent cataract surgery missions to Kenya, Jordan, and Bangladesh. UMR provides quality medical care to the elderly, disabled, refugees, and vulnerable. Many of them live without family or government support. We have helped them by healing curable blindness. Our kind contributors have funded over 1,000 cataract procedures. In this process, we have collaborated with partner NGOs and Ministries of Health. Our $100-per-eye operations are 100% successful with no problems.

Since 2016, UMR has sent cataract surgery missions to Kenya, Jordan, and Bangladesh. UMR provides quality medical care to the elderly, disabled, refugees, and vulnerable. Many of them live without family or government support. We have helped them by healing curable blindness. Our kind contributors have funded over 1,000 cataract procedures. In this process, we have collaborated with partner NGOs and Ministries of Health. Our $100-per-eye operations are 100% successful with no problems.

Hearing Aid in Palestine/Jordan

UMR partnered with Community Rehabilitation Centre for the Disabled/Gaza camp (CRCD) – UNRWA. Our aim is to integrate disabled people into their communities. Also, we are trying to improve their living conditions. The center assisted UMR with its local program team and project need assessment. Phonak Jordan performed all medical exams, measurements, and modeling before distributing the hearing devices and gave UMR a considerable discount. It offered 2 years of device maintenance and monitoring in Jordan.

UMR’s Hearing Aid project helps Palestinian refugees in Gaza/Jerash camp and Syrian refugees in random camps in Al-Mafraq. We have helped people with no health benefits and social security numbers.

Lastly

When thousands of people in a community suffer from health issues, it can be nearly impossible for a society to grow and become self-sustainable. At UMR, we believe that in order to improve the quality of life in a community, everyone must have access to primary healthcare. That’s why we have launched this cataract & hearing aid mission.

As we continue our mission to help beneficiaries, we will be providing free cataract surgeries and hearing aids to as many people as possible.

The post Cataract & Hearing Aid Mission appeared first on UMR.

“The number of people fleeing war, persecution and conflict exceeded 70 million globally last year – the highest number in the UN refugee agency’s almost 70 years of operations.” – UN

Refugees and displaced people are the most vulnerable people on the planet, suffering daily without sufficient housing, access to medicine, doctors, food, or clean water. As the crisis worsens, more and more people are depending on humanitarian agencies like UMR to fill the gaps.

Each year during Ramadan, UMR delivers food packages filled with nutritious items such as beans, rice, flour, oil, canned goods, and more to reach people that have absolutely nothing. We have spoken with families begging for help, telling our field staff that without these resources, they will die.

“Me and my children are fasting. What will we eat to break our fast? My children are begging me for food and water!”

This Ramadan, these families desperately need your help. Please #PassThePlate to a child in need!

Where We Are Working

What We Are Providing

We are providing many necessary items to the helpless families. Here are some of them-

Food Baskets

UMR delivers food packages containing items such as rice, flour, sugar, oil, beans, lentils, tomato paste, pasta, bread, and canned goods.

Water & Sanitation

In addition, we will be building water wells in Pakistan, Somalia and Kenya to ensure that some of the poorest communities are able to find clean drinking water, and prevent the spread of diseases.

Orphan Protection

Children are some of the most vulnerable among these already struggling communities. That is why UMR prioritizes the safety and well-being of children and orphans by providing them with healthcare, education, nutrition and a chance at a future.

Iftars

Each year UMR hosts iftar dinners throughout the month of Ramadan. Last year we were able to serve thousands of people in Yemen and Gaza with warm, nutritious meals.

Click Donate Now to See the different programs that you can donate to:

The post Pass The Plate appeared first on UMR.