Local bodies and disaster management
Local governments are one of the most effective instruments in responding to any disaster. Functioning and proper presence of these institutions are gauges of democracy too. When open, accountable local governments operate according to the rule of law, foster public scrutiny, and invite citizens' participation, they can better handle any local crises than any outsiders do. Well-developed local governance teams help create accurate financial systems, improve citizens' abilities to address their concerns with officials, and promote open government-citizen communication. Democratic efforts and behaviour develops transparency that also helps combat corruption. Bribery, cronyism, and fraud do not thrive in governments that, for example, report revenues and expenses based on standard accounting methods, ensure open tender and contract processes, and publish decisions. For helping people in disasters or in any other development efforts, it is best to integrate transparency into governance of all institutions, private or public. It also helps reform legacies of corrupt practices. Even after thirty-three years of our independence, and three democratic elections, neither violence nor corruption has decreased. In fact, corruption remains a serious problem. Fraud, favouritism, and a preference for family political power suppress opportunities for open, representative governance. Our oversight mechanisms are weak, and citizens do not have effective avenues to address corruption. Developing transparency to create accountability at the national and local levels of governments and to engage citizens in community-based governing actions is the key to development as well as effective emergency responses. Local government servants should learn to plan a budget and the procedures to follow for objective auditing, and financial reporting systems.
We have initiated democracy and a market economy, but the former power structure retained extensive influence, and bribery within government and business continue to thrive. This pervasive corruption has undermined citizens' trust in government and stifled economic development. Corruption makes people inefficient, and its becomes bare when the country needs emergency responses.
The concerns should lead the parliament to approve a suite of laws that ensures citizens' access to national and local government information and officials, and that improves the accountability of budgets.
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