Haiti: Self Interests And Hidden Agendas of Aid Agencies Aren’t Helping
When news about the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti started filtering through last week, my first thought was ”watch the vultures ride into town”
Even my wife was confused by my perceived indifference and reference to the aid and humanitarian organisations as vultures, as they geared up for what is turning out to be the biggest peace time humanitarian disaster of our generation, save for the 2004 Tsunami.
The earthquake and its aftershocks have caused untold devastation and suffering to the people of Haiti. Lord knows they need all the help they can get, and in principle, I have absolutely no problem with a coherent humanitarian effort followed by a structural programme to rehabilitate the country’s infrastructure.
Inevitably with such situations, the ugly side of the self righteous aid and development industry bears its teeth. It’s a conversation many people in the aid industry don’t want to have as they bury their heads in the sand.
Watch the news now, and it’s more to do with aid agencies marketing themselves and fund raising than actually doing the bread and butter things that helps stabilize relief issues in Haiti. Every aid agency you can think of are in town from Red Cross to Oxfam, from the Sisters of Guayando to The Pillars of Christian Faith, from Handicap International to Doctors Without Borders.
The question has to be asked though? Are all these people working with a silo mentality really helping? Some of the aid agencies are already being accused of focusing on the marketing opportunities the media coverage is providing. If you work in the aid industry, you’ll be well aware of the potential of fundraising off such a disaster.
Aid agencies are even claiming ownership of the relief efforts by using slogans like ”Spearheading the relief efforts” or ”Leading the relief challenge” – as if it was a job that belonged to that agency.
The blunt reality is that the co-ordination of the relief effort is incompetent at best and tragic at worst. The people of Haiti are already feeling the impact of these uncoordinated efforts. Lives that could have been saved are gone, those who could have been treated have developed permanent disabilities because aid agencies were still haggling on the tarmac at the airport in Port Au Prince.
The worst part is that the agencies will still continue to play territorial games and have the overall relief work hampered by politics and hidden agendas.
Where I live, we’ve even been approached by several people purporting to act for NGOs that are sending relief to Haiti. One of them even left a threatening note demanding that we give something.
See
, I’m one of those people who get pissed right off with such nonsense. For one, the heifer who left that note saying she was coming back to collect anything from money to old clothes has no clue where I stand on this issue – or even what I’ve already done for that matter.
I actually happen to know how the money trail works within the industry so I’ll be well placed to know what to do if and when I decide that my conscience needs to do something.
These same agencies haven’t even cleared up the mess of the bottlenecks they caused after the Asian Tsunami – and believe me when I say too many cooks spoilt that broth.
We’ve got a long way to go with Haiti.
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January 22nd, 2010 at 11:29 am
Focusing on that ugly side on humanitarian [what a heavy term this is!] orgs, I do agree with you. In general however, whatever relief they’ve brought to Haitians is worth a commendation.
coldturkey´s last blog ..Cogito, ergo sum as a way of life.
January 22nd, 2010 at 11:32 am
You have expressed it so well.
Aid agencies were cutting back and re-structuring. Hard economic times in last few years in the west meant the donations were not as high as usual. Then Haiti earthquake and voila their CEO’s and financial officers are seeing their budgets for the next three years well catered for. So dramatic phrases like “imagine the earth trembling beneath you…..” will be around for some time to ensure funds are raised.
January 22nd, 2010 at 12:40 pm
KR. I tell you – they’ve even started advertising for Programme officers and project managers for Haiti.
The irony is that there’s probably more local grassroot organisations in the towns and villages that are more effective and are the right groups to carry out this work.
But these guys will set up camp there for the next 20 years. Any funding application with Haiti on the summary will probably be escalated.
The thing for me is that I don’t really have a problem with specialist humanitarian organisations like Red Cross and Doctors without borders (MSF). What they do is simple, straight forward and crystal clear. In fact, they provide a vital real time service when it’s needed most and they have been doing it for over a century.
What I have issue with is with the rest of the bunch classifying themselves as Aid and development agencies. They usually don’t have a defined role, they compete with each other for funds, publicity, influence and power – in that my brand of development (read imperialism) is better than your brand.
As for budgets, believe you me, they work in 5 year cycles – not 3. 3 years is for hard times, but Haiti just made it pay day.
Cold Turkey. I make a distinction between emergency relief of the kind provided by Red Cross and Doctors without borders. They are critical frontline services that’s needed in the thick of the disaster, and both Red Cross and MSF doctors do a fantastic job.
There’s a difference between them and the aid and development industry ala the Oxfams and Action Aids.
January 22nd, 2010 at 8:35 pm
Something is better than nothing, I guess. I’m going with a[n almost] ‘no comment’ on this one…
CB´s last blog ..Shida ya kuwa baabi
January 22nd, 2010 at 8:43 pm
CB…that could be true, unless it’s organized chaos.
Of course they’ll tell you they’re doing something – it’s the classic hook line and sinker sucker punch to convince you to donate money.
January 22nd, 2010 at 10:04 pm
Your spot on. Doctors without Borders is complaining that the Governor of the state of Pennsylvania was allowed to land and scoop up babies for adoption, and yet several planes with life savng equipment was diverted from the airport. So getting babies to be adopted, or stopping infections that affect thousands?
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/23/world/europe/23iht-doctors.html?ref=global-home
January 25th, 2010 at 12:09 am
When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.
3TOC´s last blog ..If you could see me now.
January 25th, 2010 at 6:18 am
Vultures will always be there…I know first hand the impact organizations like MSF have had on our world, and their achievements shouldn’t fade into the background coz of the stench of a few rotten eggs…my thoughts are, let’s roll up our sleeves and help in any little way possible (& yes, the vultures can chip in), coz it still makes a difference. Then stake the vultures later.
January 25th, 2010 at 7:45 am
Darius! Misleading me you are. Sisters of Guayando isn’t a relief agency is it? Google seems to think it’s some hot and sexy babes stripping!! Darius!
I was watching Al Jazeera’s bit on this and I agree with you. I mean, IMF stepped in prompty to offer the already debt ridden Haiti with debt (nicely packaged as aid), at interest which was only waived when there was un uproar.
Then France. Haiti’s taken 120 years to compensate France for loss of it’s colony, but now steps in to adopt the orphaned babies. Seriously??
It’s no secret that black people (I’m black so this isn’t racist) are more intellectually gifted, so lets adopt these babies, more resources for our country.
In the meanwhile, splash this in the news so we can appear gracious.
I could go on and on…
kellie´s last blog ..Unfinished Business
January 25th, 2010 at 9:20 am
Sad indeed. Whenever there’s an occurrence of such magnitude there’ll always be good and bad apples.
shikomsa´s last blog ..Let’s Throw Them Out Of Windows Now…
January 25th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
3TOC.
Simple, yet so effective. Couldn’t have put it better.
@Nyambura. I guess many who see the stench choose to know when to fight out the vultures. I have no doubt that folks are still doing what they can.
Nevertheless, the vanity parade as someone eloquently called the vulture activity is hard to ignore.
Kellie my dear – of course I was pulling your leg. I have no cotton picking idea if the so called Sisters of Guayando are a relief agency let alone if they exist. I was just exercising creative licence to achieve an effect…and trust you to go and google them…
The media are as much a tool for vanity as they are for information.
Shiko. The fact that this is pretty much a fundraising exercise for some makes it all the more dodgier.
January 27th, 2010 at 9:10 am
IT’s good to read this because sometimes I end up feeling like “Mrembo there is something wrong with you” I share your sentiments kabisa. I stopped being an avid news watched about a year and half ago.. basically I am trying to live in a “news free bubble”.. I know a little bit unrealistic.. but so far my ” world angst anxiety” has leveled off remarkably making me realise I am missing nothing at all
That said, I have followed the Haiti situation a bit and from the sidelines. Here in Denmark, on Saturday there is a TV relief bada bing bada bang thing to raise money for women in Africa and the victims of Haiti, as they are advertising it. All royalty, stars and anyone who thinks they are someone will be out in all thier star shinining power, once again saving the poor african. Me I don’t know but the whole thing just rubs me so wrong, hence “Mrembo, unashinda” self analysis.
To end, did you all hear how Pat Robertson of the famed 700 club said ati.. “God is punishing Haiti for having made a pact with the devil to get the French out of their island” look for the video on youtube and see this man spew his nonsense and what irks me to no end is that some stupid Africans will still continue to give him money or whatever.. while he spews out his ignorance..
wacha tu.. as you can see me I have lots of issues.
mrembo´s last blog ..Food and stories
February 2nd, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Mrembo avoiding news is not unrealistic at all. Infact it’s very healthy and we’re encouraged to take a break from the world every once in a while. Me too I slowed down on the CNNs, BBCs Al-Jazeeras, Sky and all other depressants out there. Our local channels I gave a complete halt out of sheer exhaustion.
I’m still trying in denial about that Robertson balderdash and indeed the 700 Club!
shikomsa´s last blog ..Crest Securities et al.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:13 pm
I just bumped into your site. Very informative. I shall become a follower. Keep it up
February 9th, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Speaking of helping the poor African..I was watching an American soap/drama where they were investing in something to help poor children acces the internet in Africa. Seems we can’t escape this poor tag.
savvy´s last blog ..Mariga’s Gal
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:50 am
So… eh…. long time, no post…
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:58 am
Mo.
Tell me about it – someone (name withheld) was threatening to read me the riot act.
I guess I better pull my finger out.
Darius Stone ´s last blog ..Haiti: Self Interests And Hidden Agendas of Aid Agencies Aren’t Helping
February 24th, 2010 at 10:10 pm
where you at? Hata mimi I’ll start with that riot act my friend. You’re missed though
farmgal´s last blog ..Happy New year