who to blame?
The Himalayan Times
26
June 2015
Who to blame?
It was not surprising to know that some
International Non- government Organizations (INGOs) are working in Nepal after
25 April quake without having official working permission “Over 100 new INGOs
operating after April 25 quake, aftershocks (THT, 23 June, Page 1) and the government
does not have any clues about their working procedures and areas. What a gross
negligence is it on the part of the government and concerned authorities? It
was the government who had asked the international community for help soon
after killer earthquake rocked the nation.
The bureaucratic hurdle in getting official
permission is tiresome job. So the INGOs did not bother to do so considering
the necessity of their presence out in the affected area as sought by the
government. If INGOs are working in the affected areas in their own ways, why
does not the Social Welfare Service (WSC) bother to officially enlist them in
its roster rather than making hue and cry? Otherwise, let the INGOs continue
their good services to cater to the people of the quake affected areas
considering the grievances of the people about not receiving any relief and
roofing materials from government sources as frequently reported in media.
There are some drawbacks on the part of
INGOs also. They operate their programmes with less transparency creating
suspicion about their financial irregularities. For this, the government and
SWC need to have clearly spelled out policies and procedures and guidelines so
that their (INGOs) activities can be properly incorporated and monitored. Unless,
the government and the concerned ministries and departments have detailed plan
and program outlining the need of donor and INGOs support, the haphazard
implementation and duplication of their project activities will continue to
exist in the coming days.
Rai Biren Bangdel
Maharajgunj
