Interesting articles, posts, and guidelines from late Jan and early Feb 2010
Posted on February 4, 2010 at 2:48 pm
Here is a round up of the articles and posts written both about the recovery efforts in Haiti as well as other development issues that I found interesting from this past week. There are some guidelines included as well.
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How to Royally Mess up Disaster Response in Haiti - iRevolution – An interesting discussion of problems surrounding information management after a disaster
Local Haitian communities take initiative in responding to the earthquake – Media Global – a much welcomed story on how local agencies are responding to the disaster, their work is often overshadowed by the international organizations or overlooked in the press.
Why do we give to disaster relief? – CNN – Talks about how giving makes the donor feel about themselves.
For Haitian’s sake drop the “drop the debt” – David Roodman’s blog – Discusses how there are other actions that the US government could take to help the Haitian economy more and focusing on dropping the debt may monopolize too much of our limited political attention.
Will donating breast milk help Haitian orphans
- CNN – Looks at the current movement to lactating mothers to donate breast milk to Haiti and the problems this could create. Another articles on this same topic is Call for breast milk donations in Haiti goes bust – MSNBC
What IS it with the SHOES – Tales from the Hood and We’re shocked to discover that Jessica Simpson doesn’t read our blog – AidWatch – both discuss the needless donation of shoes to Haiti, a problem following the tsunami as well.
Haiti Aid Efforts go Awry in the “Convoy to Nowhere” – Wall Street Journal – A look at what can happen if proper logistics are not in place
The Transactions that Matter and Hallelujah – both written by Tales from the Hood about life on the ground in Haiti
Great Nonprofits deserve a great rating system – full contact Philanthropy – a look at the need for good rating systems and the impact if charity rankings aren’t well thought out.
Statement on Haiti -
Adoptees of Color Roundtable – Although it appears that this websitewas put up specifically for this statement and there is no other information provided on the author of the statement, it is still an interesting read and worth thinking about. Related to this is the post Adoption Doesn’t Help on the blog Outlandish Remarks.
General development/relief related:
Kristoff’s publication of Child Rape Victims Names and Photos was really messed up: Just ask Kristoff – wronging rights – Discusses a recent op ed written for the New York Times where Nickolas Kristoff reveals personal information on a rape victim.
Defense contractors and International Development – UN Dispatch – looks at the issues that arise when defense contractors buy out international development companies
5 lies we tell ourselves (and funders) when developing new tech for people in need – Catapult Design Blog – very practical look at the truth behind common assumptions
Africa’s not so magic roundabout -
Guardian – looks at a water pump system built as a merry-go-round for children and how the system, while appealing to donors, has many more problems and limitations than other cheaper systems.
Brief Mental Health Guidelines for Assisting those Affected by the Haiti Earthquake – International Medical Corps – I have also been informed that the Mental Health cluster coordination group is also up and functioning in Haiti.
ALNAP’s Real Time Evaluation guide pilot version. A guide to evaluating humanitarian work. Comments/feedback welcome
ALNAP’s Haiti Learning and Accountability portal is now operational http://www.alnap.org/current/Haitilearningportal.aspx
Awards:
We’d like to thank the Academy – AidWatch – AidWatch wins the BBVA Frontiers of Knowledge in Development Cooperation Award creating hope that the focus on accountability for aid is becoming popular.
www.bmwgroup.com/award – BMW – “The BMW Group is pleased to announce its first call for submissions for the Award for Intercultural Commitment. The company is looking for intercultural initiators worldwide whose goal is to motivate people from diverse backgrounds to encounter one another with open minds and to take committed action.”
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