A nice bit of unexpected and unseasonal rain has knocked down the ever-present dust of Kathmandu, and everyone will breathe a little easier for a day or two. Yesterday, the international donor community issued an official statement calling on both the Maoists and security forces to uphold human rights; that it is their duty to ensure that civilians have access to essential humanitarian supplies and that medical emergencies are given free passage at all times. Children are especially threatened—supplies of vaccines, vitamin A capsules, de-worming tablets and essential drugs have been held up, and must reach rural areas over the coming months to prevent wholly unavoidable deaths, the international donor community commented. Within the past weeks there have been reports of women dying in childbirth because of restrictions on movement, and many other incidents of humanitarian and development activities being restricted, stopped or threatened by parties of the conflict…
The British Foreign Office has suspended 1 million in aid for police and security forces; Condi and the US are still pushing for the Indian government to take the lead in restoring multi-party democracy to Nepal (something the Nepalis really do not like!) and the US Ambassador to Nepal has been having meetings this week with several recently released party leaders—including the deposed prime minister—about which King Gyanendra appointed Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers complained, and I quote: “why am I never invited to these dinner parties.”
Reports from the districts are trickling in. Disgruntled villagers in hard hit areas have been forming their own vigilante groups—armed with sticks and stones—and have been seeking their own revenge on Maoist groups that have terrorized their villages. The palace is apparently and tacitly supporting and encouraging these groups. Caught in the middle are villagers that are forced to attend Maoist “meetings” only to be threatened, and in some cases beaten up, by these vigilante groups and security forces… And at the same time, King Gyanendra still refuses to bring the Maoists to the negotiating table.
A culture of frustration and violence permeates the country—a sad development given the historically peaceful nature of Nepal. In Kathmandu, we live in a bubble, rarely affected to the extent of people in the districts with the exception of fluctuation in prices, shortages of some commodities and difficulties in transportation, but these sort of difficulties pale in comparison to threats on one’s live and survival. What nature of atonement awaits Nepal?
In this general milieu, it is difficult to think about and prepare new development projects or even continue with the implementation of ongoing ones. Aasaman, I believe, is doing its best with current projects in the field, which is testament to the hard work and neutrality of our social mobilizers and child rights protectors in the field—they make themselves known to Maoists and security forces alike and focus on the beneficiaries. Still, our discussions on starting up projects in new districts/areas are tricky at this point given both the situation in the country and the wait-and-see approach of many donor agencies…
Yet, I continue to do what I can. I have scheduled a 3-day organizational assessment at the end of April (to be held in the south of the country, even) that will bring together 16 staff members, at least 12 beneficiaries and will include my own interviews with our donors and staff. The output of this assessment will hopefully help us produce a document that will steer the organization’s internal development in the coming years.
Posted by david at March 19, 2005 02:08 PM