All International Non-governmental Organizations working in Nepal were first to respond to rescue and relief operation saving hundreds of people’s life following the massive earthquake of April 25. However, it is yet to widely circulate in the country.   

Along with the Nepal Army, Nepal Armed Police, Nepal Police force, INGOs and NGOs were the first to reach the disaster areas along with packages. “Social Welfare Council highly appreciates the effective humanitarian role played by INGOs during the first phase of rescue and relief operation. The government also grateful to their efforts,” said Rabindra Kumar, member secretary of Social Welfare Council.

At a time when they performed their works effectively, Association of International NGOs in Nepal (AIN) organized an event to mark three months since the first earthquake exhibition and interaction to show INGOs contribution and role in post earthquake Relief and Reconstruction in Nepal.

“INGOs reach all remote parts of Nepal to provide humanitarian assistance to needy people. We have spent 200 million dollar equivlant relief materials and temporary shelter in rescue and relief mission,” said Sarah Blin AIN vice chair and country director, Handicap International.

The stalls established in the AIN event showed how NGOs Contribution and Role in Post-earthquake Relief and Reconstruction in Nepal. INGOs are working alongside the Nepal government. Member INGOs are working under the coordination with the District Relief Committee (DDRC) and act as dstrict lead agency to help DDRC to ensure faster and better delivary of aid. This underscores the government’s confidence in AIN members. AIN will continue responding to needs of the community as reflected in the Post Disaster Needs Assessment report developed by donors and government.”

Out of 116 members of AIN, 87 INGOs showcased the scale and nature of the response in areas such as food and non-food distribution, injury rehabilitation, emergency healthcare, emergency education, shelter, livelihoods, water and sanitation, in all 14 priority districts and beyond.

We are the part of the development process in Nepal supporting local NGOs to carryout development activities directing poor and marginalized community. With the mobilization of the community, we have contributed government’s program,” said Dr. Prabin Manandhar, AIN SC member, country director of Lutheran World Federation. “At a time when government does not have capability to carryout reconstruction work on its own, they need support of INGOs and NGOs.”

Inaugurated by member secretary of Social Welfare Council,  this was first of its events to show how INGOs worked during the earthquake response providing life-saving support to the people affected by the earthquake.

“Our organization reaches to the community to provide the emergency relief including the treatment,” said Maria Ibragimova, AIN member and country director International Medical Crops.

Along with providing treatment, INGOs also supplied the food, cloths and blanket to the people. “INGOs provide life-saving support to the people affected by the earthquake and contribute to their long term recovery,” said Ravindra Shakya, AIN treasure and country director Restless Development.

With the strong local footing and ties and the global expertise in humanitarian contexts, INGOs helped speed up the relief to those in need.”With the relatively small resources, we were able to reach to the needy community through our local partners and community,” said David Smith, AIN SC member and country director Dan Church Aid.

“One of the good parts of our program was that we organized the program with better coordination with local and other actors involve in the earthquake rescue and relief mission,” said Sanjay Karki, AIN SC member and country director, Mercy Corps.

AIN members delivered their relief through Nepali NGOs and local community groups. Many AIN members also collaborated with central and local government, the UN community and the local people.

AIN is committed in making the work of INGOs transparent and accountable. The relief and reconstruction efforts are undertaken with the approval of the Social Welfare Council and are reported upon regularly,” said AIN chair Mulmi.

One of the aims of the Exhibition and Interaction program was to showcase the contribution and work of INGOs in relief and relief and recovery and to discuss the success and challenges from the first three months of relief and recovery.  According to AIN,INGOs  have attracted over USD200 million worth of aid to Nepal so far.

On behalf of the Association of International NGOs (AIN), I would like to invite you to the "AIN Exhibition and Interaction Programme: INGOs Contribution and Role in Post-earthquake Relief and Reconstruction in Nepal".

The international non-government organizations (INGOs) were among those to quickly respond to the call of humanitarian assistance in response to the devastating impact of the earthquake of 25th April.

INGOs have been active providing immediate relief followed by long term rehabilitation work. 86 out of 116 INGOs, who are members of the Association of International NGOs in Nepal (AIN), have reported to have contributed to the relief work. They have been working in the earthquake-affected districts, in coordination with the District Disaster Management Committees at the district level and in coordination with the relevant ministries and UN through the cluster mechanisms. The cost of relief and recovery carried out by the AIN member INGOs adds up to approximately USD 200 million.

The program started with a gallery walk in the exhibition area where the participating INGOs will put up stalls and displays to present their work and results on earthquake response.

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