Rekha Shrestha

Kathmandu, March 3:

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is most likely to close down its interrupted development projects forever if the Maoists continue to force its officials to go against their Basic Operating Guidelines while the government limits the capacity of development officials. “There are cases of Maoists asking our development workers for substantial financial contribution or get themselves registered at their local administration which is not acceptable,” said Jorg Frieden, the country director of the SDC. “We have also found some Chief District Officers (CDO) being inflexible about the movement of our workers who can’t avoid communication with the rebels,” he added.

In one instance, Maoists held three officials of Helvetas because they coincidently reached the place where the rebels were organising a programme last December. The three remained out of contact for three days and were asked financial help. In other case, “a project vehicle was seized and development workers were sent home.” The CDOs respond to project officials differently in different areas — some are cooperative while the others create hurdles. However, the SDC’s country director refused to elaborate.

It is not the state of emergency declared on February 1 which is jeopardising the projects but its repercussion on civil society, freedom of communication and security matters have put development officials’ work at risk which is why donors are reviewing their programmes and suspending new commitments. “The SDC’s programmes in all the 75 districts are partially interrupted but if the situation continues then even their little activities won’t justify keeping them alive for the long run,” said Frieden, adding, “If the security situation remains as it is, we won’t be able to spend the SDC’s budget of $16 million for this year.”

Frieden thinks that conflict is being radicalised and development effort is being squeezed which ultimately is going to have an adverse impact on humanitarian issues. “We are seeking space for development and urge the conflicting parties to accept this,” he further said. Donors, including the United Nations, publishing their Basic Operating Guidelines after February 1 also indicate that they are seriously thinking whether or not to continue development programmes in Nepal.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, if donor agencies are implementing projects as government’s partner, then their officials’ mobility depends upon the agreement. Otherwise, not only district based development officials but anyone travelling to remote places is suggested to inform the local authority. “People are suggested to inform the local administration about their movement if they are going to remote places for their own security,” said the Home Ministry spokesperson, Gopendra Pandey. “Development workers can complain if any CDO is not responding, or else they can’t blame the CDOs,” he added.