Angry foreign donors slash aid to Nepal
CUTS: King Gyanendra's coup last month damaged political confidence in the troubled nation, but the worst is still to come as military and humanitarian assistance begins to dry up
AP , KATHMANDU
Sunday, Mar 06, 2005,Page 5
Nepal's financial planners are scrambling as foreign donors disgusted by King Gyanendra's power grab last month cut off aid -- a vital lifeline for the impoverished Himalayan kingdom.
About 70 percent of the development budget is dependent on foreign aid, an official from Nepal's National Planning Commission said on condition of anonymity, warning that without it, "there will be no new bridges, roads, drinking water projects, schools or hospitals."
Making matters worse, the country's escalating communist insurgency has frightened off foreign tourists in recent years, depriving Nepal of one of its main sources of revenue.
The official said the government could make up for some of the losses out of reserve funds, but if the situation continues, the economy could plunge.
Gyanendra, a constitutional monarch, seized power on Feb. 1, imposed emergency rule and suspended civil liberties. He said he had to act because of the communist insurgency that has taken over much of the mountainous countryside.
Foreign governments, however, strongly voiced their dismay over the monarch's actions, with some recalling their ambassadors.
The UN children's agency said the crisis has blocked supplies of vital vaccines and medicines to some 3.3 million children, threatening their health. UNICEF executive director Carol Bellamy on Friday urged the government and the communist rebels to facilitate nationwide distribution of Vitamin A capsules and deworming drugs.
"It is vital that these supplies reach remote areas as soon as possible," Bellamy said. "Both sides need to put the health of Nepal's children first."
In Kathmandu, officials are still calculating the total aid that has been lost due to the crisis.
For this fiscal year, which ends in July, foreign aid makes up 32 billion rupees (US$450 million) of the 42 billion rupee (US$590 million) budget allocated for development projects. The total annual budget is 110 billion rupees (US$1.55 billion).
So far, European nations like Switzerland, Denmark and Norway have already suspended contributions for development work.
Norway has withdrawn US$8 million in aid for a project to increase drinking water in Kathmandu. The capital has severe water shortages, and its population of 1.5 million gets its drinking water for two hours every other day.
The World Bank also suspended US$70 million in aid after the royal takeover, while the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is assessing the situation.
"ADB's ongoing operations will critically depend on how the security situation evolves," said Hafeez Rahman, the bank's resident representative for Nepal.
The diminishing aid isn't just hitting development. Two of Nepal's key allies, India and Britain, have suspended military aid, which it needs in its battle with the communist rebels.
The US is considering a similar move, but has been moving more cautiously, fearing it could indirectly help the rebels. It has given US$22 million in military aid over the past four years, and is considering another US$2 million in assistance.
Analysts say it would be difficult for Nepal without the generosity of donor nations.
"If the government thinks it can sustain the economy without foreign aid, it is nothing but a mad assumption," said Bishwombar Pyakurel, an independent economist.
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