The Role of Nongovernmaental Organizations and their Relationship with Recipient Governments

Abstract

Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) and the governments of countries receiving aid have varying relationships. Some NGOs view governments poorly, while some governments have similarly negative opinions towards NGOs working in their countries. Levels of collaboration between NGOs and recipient governments also vary greatly depending upon many different factors influencing their relationship. Through my research I explored these different issues that influence the relationship between these two groups. Among the different NGOs that I explored, I encountered a variety of opinions expressed by employees ofNGOs and uncovered feelings of tension, as well as feelings of respect towards the Haitian government. Two common sources of tension found were shifts in funding patterns from bilateral to multilateral aid, and registration as an NGO and whether NGOs inform governments of their work in the country. This paper discusses these varying relationships and concludes that collaboration with the government is important, while the funding should run through NGOs and be controlled and distributed by these organizations.