Is International Aid Making Things Worse?

Thursday, April 30th, 2009

In an article in the Daily Star – Regional, John Holmes, the United Nations undersecretary general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, wrote a “First Person” article in which he says:

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Mosquito Nets, Condoms, and Recycling

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009

From the Kenyan newspaper the Daily Nation:

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If aid were like McDonald's

Tuesday, April 28th, 2009

Menus vary according to local taste and preferences

Craving beef I stopped by a McDonald’s in Indonesia looking for a hamburger. I was surprised at the menu filled with fried chicken and only one hamburger…

Where did all the money go?

Monday, April 27th, 2009

From USA today

“Speaking about U.S. aid to Africa, Clinton told Rep. David Scott, D-Ga., that she “didn’t know where a lot…

Who deserves to receive aid?

Sunday, April 26th, 2009

“I wish my parents had died so I could get all this stuff too.” An aid worker overheard a student say while visiting a school receiving tsunami recovery assistance. Rumors of people pulling down their own houses to claim tsunami…

Advertising images tell you a lot about an aid agency

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009

Think about the most memorable photo in a recent advertisement from an aid agency. What emotion did that photo create? Did it inspire you to give money?

Now imagine that it is your child, sister, or parent in that photo.…

Is Oxfam right?

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

Does an increase in the rate and severity of disasters mean that more money is needed for international disaster relief?

While it is a fact that the rate of disasters is on the rise, it has yet to be…

Should the Maersk Alabama have been there in the first place?

Wednesday, April 15th, 2009

My attention was caught by an article stating that the Maersk Alabama was transporting food aid to Somalia, Uganda and Kenya. I immediately wondered what food could we possibly be sending that would be worth the time and expense shipping…

Beggars can't be choosers, but are they really beggars…

Monday, April 13th, 2009

“Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth” and “beggars can’t be choosers” are platitudes I hear when I talk about inappropriate and unhelpful aid.

Misconception #1: Aid recipients can’t be choosers

Those who say beggars can’t be…

Sending sports equipment to needy children may seem like a good idea, but is it…

Sunday, April 12th, 2009

Sending donated items can undermine the local economy

Recently the local news featured the story of an aid group seeking donations of slightly used soccer balls and shoes to send to children in Afghanistan. Although this sounds like a great…