Foreign Aid in Nepal accounts for 60% of development programs and some say it is fast becoming a “necessary evil. The former ambassador to India Prof Dr Lok Raj Baral, spoke at a workshop on ‘The Political Sociology of Aid in Nepal’, organized by Alliance for Aid Monitor Nepal (AAMN) and discussed the topic in depth. “Without developing our own competency and reducing the country’s dependency syndrome, there is no alternative to the foreign aid,” he said. Other speakers at the event included economist Dr. Bishwhambher Pyakuryal and national program manager of Alliance for Aid Monitor Nepal, Prabash Devkota

On a topical level, foreign aid can be seen as beneficial as it increases the absorptive capacity of the country. However, further studies must be carried out to determine the long-term effects that the aid will have on the State and society. The aid must be evaluated and channeled into prioritized sectors of the country to achieve the desired outcome. If this study is conducted, it will shed light on why the country did not benefit as projected from economy-boosting foreign aid and how such aid should be allocated in the future. In an attempt to maximize the benefits of foreign aid, the Nepalese government has begun monitoring development cooperation through an Aid Management Platform and asked development partners to align their assistance with the Three Year Interim Plan.

– Kira Maixner

Source The Himalayan Times
Photo Jonah M Kessel