India’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has withdrawn the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) license of Save the Children, adding to the list of organizations facing similar actions.
After Greenpeace, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch, Save the Children now finds itself unable to receive foreign funds under the FCRA, Asia News reported on Monday.
The FCRA license is crucial for NGOs to obtain financial support from abroad.
Operating under the name Bal Raksha Bharat, the Indian branch of Save the Children has been active since 2008, working across 16 states to address the health and education needs of children in underprivileged regions.
However, last year, the organization drew government scrutiny for a malnutrition-focused fundraising campaign.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development contended that government schemes were already in place to address malnutrition effectively.
Presentation Sister Dorothy Fernandes expressed dismay over the decision of the ministry, saying revocation of licenses of NGOs is “a matter of great concern”.
“It is really a bad move and now the question arises who will take care of those children who need help and support… Indian regulations are supposed to help correct violations, but these aggressive policies are of no benefit to anyone, we should be enablers, not obstructors,” the nun said.
