Giant quake proves Chinese NGOs' rising force
Updated: 2008-05-26 15:32
Behind them is an expanding network of groups engaging people from all walks of life.
On May 12, eight Beijing-based NGOs initiated the "Small actions plus many people make a big difference" program.
By May 18, Green Earth Volunteers, one of the participating organizations, had raised 46,097 RMB (6,585 US dollars) and bought large quantities of daily necessities, including six boxes of the spicy bean sauce popular in Sichuan cuisine. "These things may seem insignificant, but they are what NGOs are good at," said Wang Yongchen, director of the environmental organization.
She noticed that China's NGOs are adapting to deal with challenges they have seldom experienced before.
On May 13, Roots and Shoots, 1KG, NGOCN, and other NGOs decided to coordinate their quake relief efforts. "We're small NGOs, covering different areas. Only through cooperation can we do things efficiently," said An Zhu, director of 1KG.
Ideas were quickly turned into actions. The next day, the joint office of the May 12 Concerted Action of Civil Organizations was opened in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan, to oversee nationwide endeavors.
An Zhu believes this new mode of operation signals a new start for Chinese NGOs. When China was beset by severe snowstorms in last January, some civil organizations in southwest Guizhou Province collaborated to offer help. But collaboration this time involves more structural and logistical complexity, said Zhang Guoyuan, the office director, who comes from an NGO in Panzhihua City, Sichuan.
So far, more than 120 NGOs nationwide have joined the Chengdu networks. With the joint office as the headquarters, the relief work is characterized by systematic arrangements, from baseline surveys, information dissemination, and procurement through to transportation.
Developments are posted on the BBS of www.ngocn.org, and discussions remain heated. Everyday, the joint office sends out goods worth 500,000 RMB (71,000 US dollars), but collaboration turns out to be no easy job. Information sharing between the Chengdu office and participating organizations, for instance, has given rise to some complaints. "More time is needed for smooth cooperation," An said.
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