What are NGOs :-
A non-governmental organization (NGO) is any non-profit, voluntary citizens group which
is organized on a local, national or international level. Task-oriented and driven by people
with a common interest, NGOs perform a variety of service and humanitarian functions,
bring citizen concerns to Governments, advocate and monitor policies and encourage
political participation through provision of information. Some are organized around
specific issues, such as human rights, environment or health. They provide analysis and
expertise, serve as early warning mechanisms and help monitor and implement
international agreements. Their relationship with offices and agencies of the United
Nations system differs depending on their goals, their venue and the mandate of a
particular institution.
(http://www.ngo.orgtingoinfo/define.html;10-11-2006)
INTRODUCTION:-
Indonesia Ache :-
Aceh, the northern-most province of the Indonesian island of Sumatra, suffered terribly in
the tsunami of December 2004. The water washed over 800km of coastline, killing
169,000 people and leaving 600,000 homeless. In several areas, no buildings, roads, or
trees were left standing. Large areas of land were permanently lost. Sumatra was then hit
by an earthquake on 28 March 2005, killing almost another 1,000 people on Nias island.
After the disaster the world responded generously and the aim of aid agencies working
there was to make life in coastal Aceh eventually better for all, regardless of wealth or
gender. In a region afflicted by poverty and conflict this represented an unprecedented
opportunity.
[http://www.oxfam.org.uk/what_we_do/issues/conflict_disasters/downloads/bn_tsunami_t
woyears.pdf]
The damage, including long-term economic damage,has been estimated at more than
$4.5bn. Across the province 2,240 schools and 2,676 bridges were destroyed and over
100,000 wells were contaminated by salt water or left in need of repair.
