KATHMANDU, July 1: A total of 120 international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) are mobilizing funds worth Rs 93.61 billion in a number of the projects, most of which are related to social infrastructures and livelihood programs operating in various parts of Nepal.
Of the total INGOs, major funds are from the USA and the UK based INGOs, which make around 81 percent of the total money. The UK-based INGOs have largest shares of Rs 43.83 billion, in the total funds mobilization, while the USA-based INGOs are injecting Rs 31.67 billion, the second in the row, according to the data unveiled by the Ministry of Finance.
Twenty one INGOs are pouring funds worth more than Rs 1 billion in various sectors of Nepal. These include Action Aid International, UK; Care International, USA; Helen Keller International, USA; International Development Enterprise Inc, USA; International Nepal Fellowship, Australia; Nepal Youth Foundation, USA; Mercy Corps, UK; Nick Simons Foundation, USA; One Heart World - Wide, USA; Oxfam GB, UK; Plan International Inc, UK and Practical Action, UK.
INGOs spent Rs 23b in 22 tarai districts in a year
Likewise, Room to Read, USA; Stromme Foundation, Norway; The American Himalayan Foundation USA; Save The Children International, UK; The Adventist Development Relief Agency, USA; Water Aid Nepal, UK; World Vision International, USA; World Wildlife Fund Inc, USA and Heifer Project International, USA are among others to invest the aforementioned amount.
Among the individual INGOs, Plan International Inc, UK is injecting a sum worth Rs 5.47 billion, the largest of all. The INGO is mobilizing the money in projects related to inclusive education in five districts and child-centered community development in 14 districts.
According to the Social Welfare Council, the INGOs have committed around Rs 1.2 billion to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the government imposed the nationwide lockdown on March 24, the INGOs have been allowed to divert 20 percent of their programs budget to carry out activities for the prevention and control of COVID-19.
The government records show that the country receives more funds through INGOs than the foreign grants received by the government almost every year. There is a growing call for tightening scrutiny over the transparency in expenses made by such institutions.
