The actions of Nepal, assessed one year after its 2015 earthquake, is an excellent, unfortunate example of the maxim that the neediest countries are the hardest to help.
The humanitarian world responded well. Donors pledged some $4.1 billion. America has provided some $130 million for relief and recovery.
The problem is that, a year later, virtually all of the $4.1 billion remains in the hands of the donors and has not yet been devoted to reconstruction, including in the vital domain of housing. It took Nepal's government until December to set up a National Reconstruction Authority. The reason is distressingly simple. The Nepalese government wants the donors' aid to be channeled through it, enhancing its authority, but, much worse, giving its officials the maximum opportunity to steal.
In spite of the human misery engendered by the tangle standing in the way of meaningful recovery and reconstruction, the world should wait until Nepalese government officials stop standing in the way of the world's desire to help the people of the country. As it stands now, the situation in Nepal has the eerie ring of efforts to help Haiti.
Editorial on 05/06/2016