NGOs Seek Seat at Table
By Nellie Bristol
International relief and development NGOs working in Haiti are seeking a greater say in how rebuilding progresses as they tally up contributions of more than $2 billion for recovery and reconstruction. The push comes even as the groups come under criticism from some quarters for a history of side stepping the government and failing to support sustainable local systems.
Sam Worthington, president and CEO of the NGO alliance group InterAction, said U.S. NGOs had received more than a billion dollars in donations by the end of March, $500 million of which is slated for reconstruction. European Union donations totaled $880 million with an additional $150 million raised in Canada, he said. "We are committed to investing a tremendous amount of financial and human resources in Haiti, and should be recognized by nation-states as a key partner in the reconstruction effort," he added. InterAction received $330,000 from USAID to establish a "coordination cell" to help groups connect with UN system activities.
In a recent interview, Lindsay Coates, InterAction vice president for policy and communication called the amount of money raised by NGOs "astounding." She said the sum changes the relationship the groups have with donors. "We're more of a partner and less of an implementer," she said.
