NGOs accused of misusing quake funds : Protest held in Mansehra
MANSEHRA, Nov 29: Hundreds of people held a protest demonstration in the Jabory area on Thursday against non-governmental organisations which, they alleged, had plundered the funds meant for earthquake survivors and spread vulgarity in the name of help extended to women of the Siren valley.
They held a rally and blocked the Jabory-Nawaz Abad road for three hours. Business centres and shops were also shut on the call of trader organisations.
The protesters carrying banners and placards marched on various roads and chanted slogans against NGOs.
Addressing the gathering, trader leaders and elders of the area said that local and foreign NGOs had received billions of rupees to help the quake-affected people in the Siren valley, but the funds were not spent on them.
They gave a 15-day ultimatum to the NGOs to work honestly and spend the allocated funds on the welfare of the people, otherwise their entry into the area would be banned.
They said that more than 30 national and international NGOs were working in the areas, but even after the passage of two years the condition of the quake survivors had not improved. Schools and health centres were still running under tents and the business community had not been paid compensation, they complained.
They alleged that under the livelihood programme, only a few hand-picked survivors had been provided feeble buffaloes and sheep and most of the funds had been plundered.
They said that each NGO received Rs80,000 for a buffalo, but the people were being provided feeble and ill buffalo worth Rs20,000 to Rs25,000.
They claimed that most of the funds were being spent on NGOs’ staff, offices, vehicles and salaries.
They alleged that NGOs’ women workers entered houses without seeking permission and incited the women to stand against their men and avoid being pregnant.
Source: Dawn
Date:11/30/2007
” 
” 
” 
” 
” 
