(...)
Inevitably, the instant reaction is to send money to one of the charities working in terrible circumstances to take relief to the injured, homeless and starving. Many people admire the courageous work of aid agencies, widely seen as the secular saints of modern society.
Yet as the multi-billion-pound aid industry appeals for more money, I must warn that those armies of self-declared saviours — so keen to display their logos in front of the television cameras — can sometimes do more harm than good.
Having witnessed them operate in the field, I have seen the problems they can cause rather than solve. Little wonder that in the wake of the cataclysmic 2010 earthquake that hit Haiti, the incensed mayor of the country’s capital city described the relief agencies as a ‘second earthquake’ after being besieged by these organisations.
While the world responded in sympathy — sending billions of pounds in donations — we were given a demonstration, sadly, of the arrogance and deficiencies of the ever-growing global relief industry, with chaos on the ground caused by so many competing agencies, followed by vast sums blown on ill-conceived, extravagant and vainglorious projects.
I hope we don’t see a similar experience in the Philippines. Sadly, the omens are not good. For as is so often the case with the aid industry, despite undoubted dedication in often-difficult conditions, good intentions keep backfiring.
Already, we have seen examples of the charities exaggerating the gravity of the disaster while raising money. Full story...
Related posts:
Inevitably, the instant reaction is to send money to one of the charities working in terrible circumstances to take relief to the injured, homeless and starving. Many people admire the courageous work of aid agencies, widely seen as the secular saints of modern society.
Yet as the multi-billion-pound aid industry appeals for more money, I must warn that those armies of self-declared saviours — so keen to display their logos in front of the television cameras — can sometimes do more harm than good.
Having witnessed them operate in the field, I have seen the problems they can cause rather than solve. Little wonder that in the wake of the cataclysmic 2010 earthquake that hit Haiti, the incensed mayor of the country’s capital city described the relief agencies as a ‘second earthquake’ after being besieged by these organisations.
While the world responded in sympathy — sending billions of pounds in donations — we were given a demonstration, sadly, of the arrogance and deficiencies of the ever-growing global relief industry, with chaos on the ground caused by so many competing agencies, followed by vast sums blown on ill-conceived, extravagant and vainglorious projects.
I hope we don’t see a similar experience in the Philippines. Sadly, the omens are not good. For as is so often the case with the aid industry, despite undoubted dedication in often-difficult conditions, good intentions keep backfiring.
Already, we have seen examples of the charities exaggerating the gravity of the disaster while raising money. Full story...
Related posts:
- America's 50 worst charities rake in nearly $1 billion for corporate fundraisers...
- Haiti: Money sent to help earthquake victims used to build 5-star hotels...
- Japan tsunami relief money spent on ... counting turtles!!!
- Nigerian president 'spent $1million of aid money meant for poverty-stricken...
- Kony 2012: Avoiding scams and irresponsible donations...
- Haiti charity scam: relief money never got to the earthquake victims...
- "Don't give money to the Red Cross"
No comments:
Post a Comment