Recovery Networks - governance of non-governmental organizations in post-earthquake Nepal

Abstract: This thesis sets out to further expand on the knowledge on governance of NGOs in disaster recovery and reconstruction by looking at the coordination between and governance of national and international NGOs after the 2015 earthquakes in Nepal. The study is based on interviews and field-observations from Kathmandu and Rasuwa district and applies governance networks and governability theory to explain the findings. The study shows how the centralization of approvals and monitoring have become a way for the government to control the large number of organizations, as the capacities to do so locally may vary. However, the same centralization has led to delays in project implementation and to some difficulties for the NGOs to adapt projects to local conditions. Furthermore, the study shows that the overlapping responsibilities between the two main agencies causes confusion among NGOs and sometimes further delays. The findings suggest that while the accountability measures seem to increase effectiveness in terms of reaching set goals, there seems to be a contradictory relationship between accountability and efficiency at the same time. In other words: slower implementation may be the price we have to pay for a better goal fulfilment. Further research on the matter is suggested.