---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: John Ashworth <[email protected]> Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2012 13:59:27 +0300 Subject: [sudan-john-ashworth] NGOs to be regulated in South Sudan To: Group <[email protected]>
Recently-arrived UN employee Toby Lanzer (article 2, below) obviously has a different view of NGOs from that of many South Sudanese, including presumably the government officials who are preparing the NGO legislation. Generally the self-image of the international aid industry (both NGOs and UN) is very different from the way the people on the ground perceive them. John BEGIN 1. Minister Tables Policy To Regulate NGOs’ Activities The South Sudanese Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management has tabled two policy framework paper plans to the national assembly for approval. By Waakhe Simon Wudu JUBA, 31 October 2012 [Gurtong] - Joseph Lual tabled a policy guideline on work relationship between the government and NGOs and legal policy framework, both aimed at streamlining the work of the Ministry and activities of the NGOs in the country. The policy guideline on relationship between government and the NGOs once approved will enhance employment opportunities for the citizens of South Sudan, ensure quality service delivery to the vulnerable citizens and will guarantee that imported goods by humanitarian agencies are solely used for humanitarian purposes. He said the legal policy framework which was already endorsed by the council of Ministers will guide the work of the ministry. He said several malpractices have been noticed in the country which led to the drafting of the framework to regulate NGO work. He said paper work is necessary for the ministry to identify the goals, objectives and budgets of the organizations among other activities. He explained that, several NGOs had started implementing their activities in the country illegally which do not necessarily benefit the citizens as they had deemed, adding these malpractices have had a place in the country because of a lack of a policy framework to regulate the activities. “If you – Parliament give us the power that will be the only way we will see these issues,” Lual said. Hon. Fatuma Nyawang the Speaker chairing the sitting today referred the document to the Parliamentary Committee of Humanitarian Affairs for review and scrutiny and be presented to the House within seven days. The policy requires that all NGOs register with the Ministry of Interior, commits them to abide by the laws of the South Sudan particularly in regards to employment policy and avail jobs to South Sudanese. It also requires them to reveal their annual budgets and activities to be executed for the purpose of transparency and accountability. The framework also requires the organizations to operate uniformly in the country in a move to equally provide services to the entire nation and work in consultation with the Ministry of Public Service. Authorities in Central Equatoria State (CES) have often decried of NGOs congestion in the state but could hardly realize output of some of the organizations. http://www.gurtong.net/ECM/Editorial/tabid/124/ctl/ArticleView/mid/519/articleId/8235/Minister-Tables-Policy-to-Regulate-NGOs-Activities.aspx END1 2. NGOs: our partners for helping South Sudan and its people move forward By Toby Lanzer October 31, 2012 — On 24 October the world celebrated 67 years since the United Nations came into being. As the United Nations Deputy Special Representative and Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan, I am proud to work for the world’s largest body for international peace, security, development and humanitarian relief. However, while the occasion of UN Day placed much attention on the activities of the UN, I would like to take a moment to reflect on our key partners, Non-Governmental Organisations, without whom the UN’s agencies would be unable to carry out its development or humanitarian work. The first international NGO arrived in what is now the Republic of South Sudan in 1956. On average an international NGO in South Sudan has worked here for 13 years, a period which has enabled each NGO to amass local experience and expertise on which the UN relies. NGOs work hand-in-hand with UN agencies in all spheres of development and humanitarian aid. For example, NGOs construct classrooms and support literacy, work with the ministry of agriculture on livestock vaccination, provide specialized health services, distribute food, drill boreholes, build capacity of institutions, and work on reconciliation and peacebuilding with local communities. NGO staff often work under the most difficult conditions, far from their families, often sleeping in tents, on rough terrain, and in inhospitable environments. Many NGO staff have put their own lives at risk in order to contribute to the welfare of South Sudan. NGO colleagues are among the most dedicated people with whom I have had the honour to serve. In my roles as Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, I work with NGO colleagues in Juba and in the field. In the three months since my arrival in South Sudan, I have visited eight of ten states where I have witnessed how the programmes of NGOs empower people to address their development and humanitarian challenges. For example, in Eastern Equatoria I am impressed with the work of NGOs on livelihoods. Intensive community consultations have led there to the strategic construction of haffirs that have protected the livelihoods of hundreds of people and their cattle. In the refugee camps in Upper Nile State I found NGO staff running clinics, therapeutic feeding centres, water points and hygiene campaigns staffed to attend to the needs of refugees. International NGOs have a strong commitment to ensuring full engagement of national staff in their programmes. More than 16,000 South Sudanese were employed by NGOs in 2011. There are nine South Sudanese citizens for every international staff member working in the NGO sector. At the managerial level the ratio of nationals to internationals is nearly one to one. In 2011, the collective amount spent by international NGOs in South Sudan exceeded US$ 577 million. This had and continues to have a positive impact on government finances. South Sudanese employees of international NGOs contributed an estimated SSP 20.5 million in personal income tax and revenue to the government. A further estimated SSP 44 million in social insurance fund contribution has been set aside. And NGOs have worked to ensure that such data is publicly available. The United Nations has pledged its support to the world’s newest nation in many spheres. When it comes to development cooperation and humanitarian action, NGOs are a key component of our engagement. In so many ways, NGOs make the international community’s support tangible for the people of South Sudan. So, with UN Day behind us let me thank my NGO colleagues, South Sudanese and those who travelled far to work here, for their dedication, commitment, and work. The author is the UN Deputy Special Representative and Resident & Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan. http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article44383 END2 3. Guidelines set for NGO's Friday, 19 October 2012 08:38 Diana Wani South Sudan >>> Radio Miraya The council of Ministers chaired by President Salva Kiir Mayardit in Juba today, has adopted a policy framework that sets guidelines for the operation of Non-Governmental Organizations. The policy puts in place operational requirements of both local and International NGOs, in line with national laws. Speaking to the press after the council meeting, the acting Government spokesperson, Atem Yaak Atem, explained that under the policy, NGOs would be required to spread out their operations and also work in partnership with line Ministries who will oversee their projects. "It was also agreed that the foreign NGO's should work closely with national NGO's and that they should also not concentrate in particular areas, but to operate all over the republic according to needs. There is also need for foreign NGO's to make sure that they work together with the Ministry of Public Service, in terms of employment and at the same time they should make their budget known to the Ministry of Finance, so that their expenditure and how they operate should be known by the national government", said Atem Yaak Atem. http://mirayafm.net/index.php/south-sudan-news/9912-guidelines-set-for-ngos- END3 ______________________ John Ashworth Sudan, South Sudan Advisor [email protected] +254 725 926 297 (Kenya mobile) +211 919 695 362 (South Sudan mobile) +27 82 050 1235 (South Africa mobile) +44 750 304 1790 (UK/international) +88 216 4334 0735 (Thuraya satphone) PO Box 52002 - 00200, Nairobi, Kenya This is a personal e-mail address and the contents do not necessarily reflect the views of any organisation -- -- The content of this message does not necessarily reflect John Ashworth's views. 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