AMEDA unveils modernisation steps for African, ME depositories    US Military Official Discusses Gaza Aid Challenges: Why Airdrops Aren't Enough    US Embassy in Cairo announces Egyptian-American musical fusion tour    ExxonMobil's Nigerian asset sale nears approval    Chubb prepares $350M payout for state of Maryland over bridge collapse    Argentina's GDP to contract by 3.3% in '24, grow 2.7% in '25: OECD    Turkey's GDP growth to decelerate in next 2 years – OECD    $17.7bn drop in banking sector's net foreign assets deficit during March 2024: CBE    EU pledges €7.4bn to back Egypt's green economy initiatives    Egypt, France emphasize ceasefire in Gaza, two-state solution    Norway's Scatec explores 5 new renewable energy projects in Egypt    Microsoft plans to build data centre in Thailand    Japanese Ambassador presents Certificate of Appreciation to renowned Opera singer Reda El-Wakil    Health Minister, Johnson & Johnson explore collaborative opportunities at Qatar Goals 2024    WFP, EU collaborate to empower refugees, host communities in Egypt    Al-Sisi, Emir of Kuwait discuss bilateral ties, Gaza takes centre stage    Sweilam highlights Egypt's water needs, cooperation efforts during Baghdad Conference    AstraZeneca, Ministry of Health launch early detection and treatment campaign against liver cancer    AstraZeneca injects $50m in Egypt over four years    Egypt, AstraZeneca sign liver cancer MoU    Swiss freeze on Russian assets dwindles to $6.36b in '23    Amir Karara reflects on 'Beit Al-Rifai' success, aspires for future collaborations    Climate change risks 70% of global workforce – ILO    Prime Minister Madbouly reviews cooperation with South Sudan    Egypt retains top spot in CFA's MENA Research Challenge    Egyptian public, private sectors off on Apr 25 marking Sinai Liberation    Debt swaps could unlock $100b for climate action    President Al-Sisi embarks on new term with pledge for prosperity, democratic evolution    Amal Al Ghad Magazine congratulates President Sisi on new office term    Egyptian, Japanese Judo communities celebrate new coach at Tokyo's Embassy in Cairo    Uppingham Cairo and Rafa Nadal Academy Unite to Elevate Sports Education in Egypt with the Introduction of the "Rafa Nadal Tennis Program"    Financial literacy becomes extremely important – EGX official    Euro area annual inflation up to 2.9% – Eurostat    BYD، Brazil's Sigma Lithium JV likely    UNESCO celebrates World Arabic Language Day    Motaz Azaiza mural in Manchester tribute to Palestinian journalists    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



NGOs reel from frozen assets
Published in Daily News Egypt on 25 - 12 - 2013

The Cabinet announced in a press conference on Wednesday that the decision to freeze the assets of 1055 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) will not affect the poor who depend on them for services.
Minister of Social Solidarity Ahmed Al-Borai assured that "the aid to the poor has not stopped following this decision".
On Tuesday, the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) froze the assets of 1055 NGOs, accused of connection with the Muslim Brotherhood group. The action was in line with the Justice Ministry's recent decision to dismantle Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated organisations on 23 September.
The General Federation of Non-Governmental Organizations (GFNO) announced on Wednesday that an emergency meeting will be held on Sunday to address the recent freeze.
"The federation was not told of this decision beforehand," said Anwar Al-Sadat, member of the GNFO , "[and] a large number of poor people depend on these NGOs." Al-Sadat criticised the timing of the decision saying that, with the government's failure to provide economic aid and the approaching referendum, the decision causes a rift in society.
"I understand the need for monitoring NGOs funds, especially those funded by the Gulf states," he explained, "but most of these NGOs work in extremely poor areas and offer [much needed] medical services to the poor."
Al-Sadat added that he does not believe that these NGOs will be closed down, rather a monitoring system will result out of this decision.
The Islamic- based charity Al-Gameya Al-Shareya issued a statement on Wednesday vowing to keep its operations ongoing as long as there is money available.
In an emergency meeting held by the charity's board on Wednesday, the charity cited the number of people they serve on daily basis as proof of their importance in poorer communities: "Al-Gameya Al-Shareya has over 1090 newborn incubators in 18 governorates, 30 medical centres...which focus on treating illnesses such as kidney dialysis, burns and cancer." The statement added that it has projects serving over 450,000 orphans and 250,000 women.
"This decision's effect is instantaneous," said Mohamed Hassanein, the financial and administrative director of Al-Gameya Al-Shareya. "We cannot access our bank accounts."
"We have over 30 medical centres in the different governorates," said Hussein Ahmed, editor-in-chief of the charity's magazine. "Some include kidney dialysis [centres] that closed down today in Sohag [as well as] the newborn incubators the charity is running."
Hussein added that the charity can only continue its operations for "a few more days" under the current situation.
Nader Bakkar, Al-Nour Party's deputy chairman for media affairs, criticised the decision. Bakkar claimed that Al-Gameya Al-Shareya and Ansar Al-Sonna Al-Mohamedeya charity organistations support 26% of Egypt's poor.
"If by issuing this decision the government believes they are punishing the Muslim Brotherhood, they are mistaken," Bakkar said. "The poor and the orphans are ones who will be punished."
Bakkar also criticised the authorities for failing to clearly announce the decision and its rationale. "This isn't a simple decision," Bakkar said. "The Ministry of Social Solidarity should have at least confirmed that the decision was made."
He said that if the government could incriminate any charity organisation, they have the right to freeze their assets or monitor their activities.
Wafaa Al-Banna, member of the Muslim Brotherhood and its Freedom and Justice Party, denied that the Brotherhood runs any charity organisations. She also condemned the decision, adding that the authorities are creating enemies within the underprivileged population.
Neither the Cabinet nor the Central Bank of Egypt was available for comment.


Clic here to read the story from its source.