Roles of NGOs/INGOs in poverty alleviation in Nepal

• Lack of clarity and uniformity in the roles and functions of NGOs and in their mode of operations have often resulted into duplication of efforts and inefficiency of resources use and at various times created confusion among people about government development approach.
• Statistics reveal that there were an estimated 10550 NGOs operating in the year 2000, compared with 229 in 1989.
• A major role of NGOs in rural development has been to involve communities and grassroots organizations more effectively in the development process direct towards soling poverty related problems.
• Despite being enthusiastic to establish close linkage with DADOs, NGOs preferred to work separately for the lack of clarity of collaboration modalities particularly when collaboration implies loss of their autonomy, freedom, and flexibility.
• Thus, there is urgent need that the roles, responsibilities and functions including modalities of GO-NGOs collaboration be defined and implemented.
• Bad reputation regarding NGOs accountability was led to an “image crisis” of NGOs.
• Firstly, their institutional capacity is underdeveloped and their commitment towards grassroots development is doubtful.
• Secondly, they are over dependent on their donors and lack the skill and motivation for taking their own initiatives.
• Thirdly, most NGOs are conducted on proximity of urban and easy access areas to the neglect of poorer marginal areas, particularly in the west of the country.
• Fourthly, poor relations with the government and often-conflicting interests and the resulting tug of war between the two for power.