The Nepal Government Should Compete For Funds

Much has been made about the Prime Minister's Relief Fund. There is an easy solution: compete. Nobody stops the government of Nepal from making a strong case and going out there and raising money. It should respond to the criticisms, and it should make a case, and it should go for it.

It is all about ROI, return on investment. It is a business term, but it also applies to governments.

It is being said that the Nepal Government, given the pledged funds by the various governments, will do a much better job, the ROI will be much higher, than if those foreign governments spent the money themselves. Haiti is being cited as an example. Heck, I am one of the people shouting Haiti! Haiti! Haiti!

Well then, make a case. Why is your ROI greater? How? By how much? Let's see some numbers. There are enough well educated people in Nepal, inside the government and outside, inside the country, and in the diaspora, to be able to do that.

Based on that case, lobbying efforts can be organized. If you want the $20 plus million pledged by the US government to go directly into the Prime Minister's Relief Fund, lobbying can be organized in Washington DC. Heck, there is an even better way. Do it online. America is a democracy. If enough Americans get convinced by you, and they act to reach out to their Congressman and Senators, the work will get done. A democracy responds to its citizens.

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Mass Action For Relief And Reconstruction

I am worried. Deeply worried. There are early signs the government might mess it up.

I think there is need for mass action to pressure the calling of an emergency meeting of the Nepal parliament. The parliament would pass a bill that would make room for a website run by a large team of Nepali IT volunteers in Nepal and around the world that will:

• Gather as much information as possible on the damage, in rich media, and help disseminate all that over social media channels for the global audience, asking Nepalis and friends of Nepal to share
• To get them to donate to a list of organizations (including the Nepali government)
• That would be required to participate in 100% transparency, in how much they collect, where they spend it, in what amounts, and for what. 

As long as that 100% online transparency is maintained, they do not have to go through the Nepali government. Such a bill needs to be passed urgently. This model can work not just for relief but also reconstruction. We could get donors across the world to adopt families. I don't think it will be hard to find 500,000 donors who would adopt 500,000 families to help rebuild their homes, only this time cheap, earthquake proof homes. This family to family connection is key, and there you need 100% transparency and social media communication. If you can show people where their 500 bucks might be going, they will happily chip in. 

This can be a grassroots effort. You don't have to be running a political party or ministry to do this. This is not an anti Nepal government effort. The Nepal government should do all it can and do so at full speed. But it better not get in the way of everyone else who is trying to help. 

Nab the corrupt ones and send them to China. The Chinese know how to deal with corrupt ones. 

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An Insane Act By The Nepal Government

An Insane Act

Response 1

Here is what Nepal Government is saying - individuals and spontaneously organizing civic movements shouldn't help their neighbors in need unless Nepal Government approves of it. Waste resources to pay customs and other duties and wait for a month - and GoN verification - before you can put that money to better use.

http://mof.gov.np/uploads/news/file/press%20release_20150501060225.pdf

Why is Nepal Government so fucking stupid???

Response 2

The Government and the bureaucracy, that was so efficient that it gave us 6 hrs electricity, no water in taps, no food before the earthquake now thinks that it can coordinate rapid relief through the CDO office, the same office that takes a month to give a passport. I think if we just give 10% of everything thats coming to the respective political parties they will let us do everything. I hope this Government realizes where all the energy, effort and anger will be directed, if due to their actions, all the citizens that are mobilizing for relief are stopped. Its never going to be normal.

I think there is enough supplies just at the Kathmandu airport that if it were to be lifted and airdropped immediately, there might be enough food in the affected areas for four weeks, there might be enough tents. But the Nepal government wants four weeks just to do its paperwork! Just get out of the way! Is all it takes.

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3 States: Koshi, Gandaki, Karnali: A New Proposal

This has been proposed.

My first criticism is that this has been designed to continue with the colonization of the Madhesh. This is designed to make sure the police, the army and the administration remain as they are. You still will have Pahadi CDOs in Madhesi districts. You will continue with the Pahadi police lording over the Madhesh.

There are ways to rectify those colonial tendencies.

As for the map, my counter proposal would be as follows.

• Kailali and Kanchanpur stay part of the Madhesh. 
• Chitwan stays part of the Madhesh. 
• To that add Makwanpur.

In this proposal, you necessarily end up with five layers of government and strong district governments. Some might ask, why go for five when three can be had? 

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