The case of Nepalese Non-Government Organization (s) during and after COVID Pandemic scenario

Non-Government Organization (NGO) in Nepal have long history of supporting the people-in-need. COVID pandemic posed a significant threat to human societies, causing a negative impact on all levels, i.e. health, education, food security, etc. The article explored the scenario of NGOs during and after pandemic scenario through an adoption of qualitative research methodology. The findings of the article are based on literature reviews as well as reflection of author’s experience at NGO world. As the impact was rapid and severe, NGOs collaborated and partnered with government organization to deliver the health specific services such as test centre and isolation spot establishment and management, delivery of medical supplies, distribution of food items and hygiene items, and health specific infrastructure development. NGOs worked to meet immediate needs as well as long-term needs. In delivering the ever-increasing needs, NGO themselves had to face series of setback such as barrier in transportation of support items, limitation in trained human resources, lack of formal guidelines and policies to contain COVID outbreak, inadequate financial resources compared to the needs and demands, stoppage of ongoing development works, unusually high inflation rate, etc. The case of NGOs in post-covid scenario is comparatively changed, in terms of priorities and allocation of financial resources from funding agencies. The resources have been diverted to health specific projects, causing problem of budget deficiency for NGOs working in non-health areas. The article suggests government and non-government agencies to have rapid response guideline within their organizational mandate, that could be adopted and mobilized during emergency scenario. Article found the need of NGOs having a self-assessment of their organizational capacity, and fulfil the gaps in periodic manner to prepare themselves for emergency response. For the sustainability perspective of NGOs as an institution, the NGO-private partnership modalities need to be explored and adopted to ensure operation of NGOs at varied level.