An Zhu believes this new mode of operation signals a new start for Chinese NGOs. When China was beset by severe snowstorms in last January, some civil organizations in southwest Guizhou Province collaborated to offer help. But collaboration this time involves more structural and logistical complexity, said Zhang Guoyuan, the office director, who comes from an NGO in Panzhihua City, Sichuan.

So far, more than 120 NGOs nationwide have joined the Chengdu networks. With the joint office as the headquarters, the relief work is characterized by systematic arrangements, from baseline surveys, information dissemination, and procurement through to transportation.

Developments are posted on the BBS of www.ngocn.org, and discussions remain heated. Everyday, the joint office sends out goods worth 500,000 RMB (71,000 U.S. dollars), but collaboration turns out to be no easy job. Information sharing between the Chengdu office and participating organizations, for instance, has given rise to some complaints. "More time is needed for smooth cooperation," An said.

Apart from the grassroots organizations, suppliers of funds and resources are also taking a more organized approach to corporate responsibility.

The China Social Entrepreneur Foundation, with a 10-year focus on poverty alleviation, set up a fast-track funding scheme on May 14, under which public-interest organizations can get grants of up to 300,000 yuan (42,900 US dollars) within five working days if their application is successful.

Narada Foundation, another influential private foundation funding public welfare projects, also gave 10 million yuan (1.42 million U.S. dollars) to fund grassroots civil organizations in quake relief.

The government and civil groups have come to build mutual trust. New Camel's Hump, a Shanghai-based NGO, said the civil affairs bureau has been supportive of its work of goods transportation to Sichuan.

But an NGO observer pointed out that the government has yet to provide more space for the participation of NGOs.

A bulletin issued by the May 12 Concerted Action of Civil Organizations on May 16 said some hardest-hit areas are out of bounds to civil organizations, and the distribution of goods has been a headache.

Meanwhile, there has been some disorder on the part of the civil organizations.

"To some degree, so many people are acting spontaneously," said Liang Xiaoyan, acting director-general of Friends of Nature, a Beijing-based NGO committed to environmental protection.

Li Zhigang, a council member of the Bright China Foundation, believed the participation of civil organizations will be a long-term process. They have roles to play in the four main relief functions of first aid, hardware construction, software construction and ultimately, the improvement of crisis strategies, he said.

Li mentions such 19 areas as medical care, road construction, clean water provision, psychological counseling, orphan placement and enhancement of public awareness. "Every NGO should devote itself to its respective strength, instead of overlapping with others. Otherwise, it will be a waste of resources," Li said.

The earthquake offers an opportunity of growth and a test ground for Chinese NGOs, said Wang Yongchen.

Indeed, civil organizations equipped with professional expertise can complement the government in coping with catastrophes like the May 12 giant quake, said Wang Ming, director of NGO Research Center of Qinghua University.

"A Chinese old saying says, the wealthy contribute money, the physically-strong contribute labor. I hope we can contribute our strength in a highly organized way, as civil organizations are rising to be an important force," said Wang Yongchen.

(Xinhua News Agency May 26, 2008)