Red Cross asks clarifications to 7 provinces, 15 district committees

Kathmandu, Aug. 19

Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) has sought clarifications from the seven provincial and 15 district committees for their alleged involvement in political activities and failure to fulfill the duties mandated by the statute of the organisation.

Issuing letters on Wednesday, the NRCS ask for written clarification within three days as mandated by its Central Ad-hoc Committee meeting on Monday. It also asked them to clarify what reasons and circumstances led to involvement in activities contrary to maintaining transparency, acceptability, and integrity in the organisation.

In case of failure of the satisfactory response, the respective committees can be dissolved, according to the NRCS source. The district committees that are asked for clarifications are Sunsari, Rautahat, Sindhupalchok, Chitwan, Makwanpur, Kapilvastu, Bhojpur, Saptari, Sankhuwasabha, Rasuwa, Bara, Syangja, Kavrepalanchok, Tanahun and Parsa.

The letter read that contrary to the NRCS statute, office bearers and members of those committee have engaged with various political parties and their sister organisations, thereby violating the fundamental principles of the Red Cross.

"Serious challenges have emerged regarding maintaining the Society’s acceptability, transparency, and integrity. Vehicles, financial assets, and other resources have been misused," it said while adding that the repeated reminders issued by the International Committee of the Red Cross (Compliance and Mediation Committee) regarding integrity, honesty, and good governance within the NRCS have also been disregarded.

According to the NRCS, head office, those committees have also failed to update membership details, execute the central regulations and directives, abide by the central policies, and submit regular reports to the central office. 

Published in The Rising Nepal on 20 August 2026.