The European Union Election Observation Mission to Nepal donated office material, medical equipment and other supplies valued at over 18 million Nepali Rupees (138 000 EURO) to 17 different NGOs operating within Nepal.

 The material was purchased for operations of the EU Election Observation Mission during observation of the 19 November 2013 elections. Rather than taking the equipment to Europe or another election observation mission, the EU has decided to donate these items to local NGOs in Nepal in order to encourage and support them in their activities.

Seventeen NGOs were selected to receive equipment from the EU Election Observation Mission. They are Environment Development Society (EDS), Integrated Development Society (IDeS), ASTAHA Nepal, Protection Desk Nepal (PD-N), Child Workers in Nepal Concerned Centre (CWIN-Nepal), Human Rights Protection and Legal Service Centre (HRPLSC), Samajik Samanata Abhiyan (SSA), Nepal National Dalit Social Welfare Organization (NNDSWO), Disable Empowerment and Communication Centre, Nepal (DECCN), Rastriya Haliya Mukti Samaaj (RHMS), Helping Hands Health Education (HHHE), Youth Welfare Society (YWS), Volunteers Initiative Nepal (VIN), Nepal Integrated Blind Development Association (NIBDA), Nepal Jesuit Society (NJS), Social Welfare Centre - Elderly's Home(SWC), Planete Enfants (PE).

According to a press release of Delegation of the European Union to Nepal The EU wishes to commend these organizations for their commitment and contribution towards poverty alleviation, human rights, protection and promotion of the special needs of people living with disabilities, encouraging women and community empowerment and child protection.

Ambassador Rensje Teerink of the EU Delegation to Nepal and Elena Todova, Project Manager of the EU Election Observation Mission to Nepal, presented the materials to the beneficiaries.

Ambassador Rensje Teerink said, “The European Union is committed to supporting Nepal and the work of NGOs in Nepal in important areas such as tackling poverty, defending human rights, improving governance and strengthening democracy. With this donation we are supporting a vibrant civil society and NGOs that are able to assist Nepal all around the country.”

The handing over ceremony took place at the EU EOM offices in Thapathali, just prior to the closure of the offices, Elena Todova from the EU Election Observation Mission said,

"The Election Observation Mission is giving equipment that is almost new and has been well cared for. We are all very happy to know that this will benefit the people of Nepal who we are reaching through the NGO community,"

The EU Election Observation Mission is an independent EU project that worked since late last year to observe and impartially report on the process of the elections in Nepal. They will return to Nepal to present their final report in the coming weeks.