Flood Crisis: Govt. exempted NGOs from MoU with Economic Affairs Division

It has been announced that The Government of Pakistan has exempted local NGOs from signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ministry of Economic Affairs (EAD) to strengthen NGO who wish to support flood affectees in Pakistan. As per the office memorandum dated 5th August 2022 released by Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Government of Pakistan has exempted all local NGOs wish to get foreign funds, that had already filed application for processing with EAD, from signing of MoU with EAD to utilized foreign funds to conduct and continue flood relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction activities in the flood affected areas across Pakistan, for a period not exceeding six month i.e. from 5th August 2022 till 4th February 2023.

The memo stated that the exemption will be applicable only to those NGOs which have applied to the EAD till 5th August 2022. They should also have valid acknowledgment or Facilitation letters for that project but their decisions are still pending with EAD.

As per the memo, the above exemption will be subject to the conditions that It shall not be applicable to regretted projects or blacklisted NGOs.

Furthermore, the memo highlighted that the exemption shall be withdrawn if an NGO is found involved in illegal activities which includes but is not limited to money laundering, working against the national security interests of Pakistan or assisting/abetting any illegal, nationally or internationally banned organizations.

We appreciate Govt. decision to facilitate NGOs who plan to support flood victims. Surely, this decision will help local NGOs to work with full potential and capability to reach to flood affectees with a mission to rescue and rehabilitation them.