Picture this scene: at 7am you take your son to college on your motor bike, on your way back you drive into a road block erected spontaneously by student political activists affiliated to one particular party NOT getting their own way in parliament, they threaten to burn your bike but you talk your way out of it and drive in the opposite direction. Meanwhile across the road a milk delivery van is attacked and torched by the activists, a few yards away a group of police stand around and watch. Later in the day the Constituent Assembly (parliament) proceedings are disrupted by the elected members of the disaffected party for the twentieth successive day with no business being conducted, the new Prime Minister who lost his seat at the national election (!) but who heads the party of government doesn't seem to know what to do.All true, with the "man on the motorbike" being a Nepal Schools Aid official. Not only true but an example of what are becoming everyday occurrences in Nepal making the country's descent into Failed State status almost inevitable. A recent report from the Fund For Peace confirms this:
Meanwhile, Nepal has slid several points below its Failed State Index (FSI) this year compared to the previous year, the Kathmandu Post said citing a report released by a leading research organization.
In its fifth annual FSI released recently, the Washington-DC-based Fund for Peace has listed Nepal among the worst 38 countries, ranking it 25th.
The level of statelessness in the 38 countries sends “warning” signal, according to Fund for Peace.
Nepal stands in the category that includes countries like Somalia, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and North Korea, which make up the list of worst governed countries reeling under conflict, corruption, poverty, impunity and statelessness.
Countries like Norway, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland, which ranked 177th, 176th, 175th and 174th respectively, are seen as best governed.
The only solace for Nepal probably is that it fares better than Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, ranked 19th and 22nd in order, the Post said.
Weak and ineffective government, economic decline, poverty and widening inequality, impunity, deteriorating rule of law, violation of human rights, corruption and external intervention have been attributed as the reason for Nepal’s worsening condition. nepalnews.com June 29 09
Certainly as a charity with no form of political alignment we would not pass any comment or opinion on government, specific parties or state institutions, but the rising levels of violence, strikes, blockades and a general breakdown of law and order makes our work all the more important. Schools are frequently closed and parents are increasingly afraid to send their children to school especially following a recent spate of child kidnappings.
We must continue to reassure all our schools and the most vulnerable of children that our support to them will NOT be affected by the political or security situation. As long as we receive donations and grants we will be there for them.
Meanwhile, Nepal has slid several points below its Failed State Index (FSI) this year compared to the previous year, the Kathmandu Post said citing a report released by a leading research organization.
In its fifth annual FSI released recently, the Washington-DC-based Fund for Peace has listed Nepal among the worst 38 countries, ranking it 25th.
The level of statelessness in the 38 countries sends “warning” signal, according to Fund for Peace.
Nepal stands in the category that includes countries like Somalia, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and North Korea, which make up the list of worst governed countries reeling under conflict, corruption, poverty, impunity and statelessness.
Countries like Norway, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland, which ranked 177th, 176th, 175th and 174th respectively, are seen as best governed.
The only solace for Nepal probably is that it fares better than Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, ranked 19th and 22nd in order, the Post said.
Weak and ineffective government, economic decline, poverty and widening inequality, impunity, deteriorating rule of law, violation of human rights, corruption and external intervention have been attributed as the reason for Nepal’s worsening condition. nepalnews.com June 29 09
Certainly as a charity with no form of political alignment we would not pass any comment or opinion on government, specific parties or state institutions, but the rising levels of violence, strikes, blockades and a general breakdown of law and order makes our work all the more important. Schools are frequently closed and parents are increasingly afraid to send their children to school especially following a recent spate of child kidnappings.
We must continue to reassure all our schools and the most vulnerable of children that our support to them will NOT be affected by the political or security situation. As long as we receive donations and grants we will be there for them.
1 comment:
I do despair!! It really makes you want to put all the leaders in one room and bang their heads together, then lock the door and not let them out until they have managed to sort themselves out. The vast majority of Nepalese are wonderful people and they deserve much better than this.
Andy Green
Post a Comment