The wealthy Chinese private sector has started establishing philanthropic institution that has reached beyond border.The conservative understanding of China as communist country is different, explains Wang Xingzui, Vice President of China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation, one of the oldest and largest NGOs in China and one of the few working outside the country.
The rich people in China have started looking toward the society, said Xingzui, who has over two decades of experience in rural development.
The present day China offers room for non-governmental organizations to work, he said, adding that his foundation has grown from small, largely unknown organization to the one that is well recognized and respected for its pioneering work and professionalism by governments, corporate houses, beneficiaries, and peer NGOs both at home and abroad.
Xingzui, who oversees the foundation's strategies and microfinance, is hopeful that his foundation will do much better work in Nepal.
China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation was officially registered in Nepal on August 13, he said, adding that the foundation, which is working to expand operations to other countries, has come to Nepal to help Nepali in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake of April 25 and May 12.
We want to transform the foundation into an international NGO, said Xingzui, who is committed to promoting transparency, unity, and partnerships in the Chinese NGO sector.
The foundation is the first Chinese NGO to sign general agreement with Social Welfare Council on the occasion of 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between Nepal and China.
The foundation has worked a lot in the field of international humanitarian aid, launched projects like disaster relief, hospital facilities, school feeding, maternal and infant health and student scholarships in 14 countries and regions like Indonesia, North Korea, Pakistan, Myanmar, Chili, Haiti, Japan, Guinea-Bissau, Sudan, Horn of Africa, Cambodia, Ethiopia and Nepal.
By the end of 2014, the Foundation has already spent 76 million RMB for international aid, he said, adding that the foundation has responded quickly after the Nepal earthquake. Based on the experience of disaster relief of 13 years, especially from the experience of Wenchuan, Yushu, Yaan and Ludian in China, he said the foundation, relying on the humanitarian relief teams, humanitarian relief network and humanitarian relief volunteer committee, sent its own team, working together with UN, international NGOs, Nepal government, local NGOs and local Chinese people, to respond to the emergency in Nepal.
"Our operations include life search and rescue, food supply, drinking water and epidemic prevention," he added.
The foundation also worked with local NGOs to assess the needs of local people and found that many people, who lived in border areas, were forced to leave their homes for Kathmandu, Xingzui added. "We have built a temporary resettlement camp which can accommodate 2,000 people in Bode, Bhaktapur," he said, adding that the camp was completed on May 22 and refugees moved in on May 23.
Similarly, the foundation also organized over 300 volunteers from six countries and regions, who worked for more than 6,800 hours. "We spent about 6 million RMB during the process of emergency responses and temporary settlement periods," he informed.
In the next five years, the foundation will spend at least $100,000 annually to help Nepalis in their post-disaster reconstruction efforts and beyond, he added.
Related story
Authorities, local communities pledge to help in Dharahara reco...
