Aid Organizations

What Linda Polman seems to be concerned with in her book is that aid organizations are getting picked apart by not only war-torn villages in places like Sudan and Sierra Leone, but by the warlords and criminals who are tearing the places apart. At each checkpoint, it seemed the journalist who was trying to conduct interviews with the people in charge of the aid organizations were either “busy” (one tried to say he had malaria), or the journalist had to pay some kind of fine or barter something in return for passage. And by most of the research conducted by Polman, it suggests that over half of the aid that goes to these villages has to pass the same ordeal at these checkpoints. Because, at Polman points out, militias need aid, too, right?

A news report about ministers debating about aid to Greece.

Polman refers to aid organizations as “businesses dressed up like Mother Teresa” because of the amount of sugar-coating each business gets. Most of the NGO’s in places like Sierra Leone exchange more of a business deal with war criminals and splinter cells located in the regions than those who actually need the aid. As stated in the chapter, and above, most of these aid distributers have some sort of contract or exchange with local entrepreneurs to cash in on some of the aid that is dropped or transferred into the country. These aid companies get to pay their employees (usually about $85 a month or so) and in return, most of the organizations will keep quiet about what’s really happening in the villages (i.e. that most of the aid doesn’t actually reach those who need it). Also,

Take for example, World War II. In 1942, Polman discovered that an aid organization had some knowledge about what was really happening in the concentration camps located throughout Germany. However, because of its need to be impartial and unbiased, they kept silent and in return, the aid organization was able to continue sending in aid to the local towns who still needed the help.

In order to make humanitarian aid successful, Polman suggests that the public, and mostly journalists, ask the tough questions. She stated that most journalists take an aid organization’s word as gold, and don’t question where the actual money or aid is going. She says we should ask questions such as where is the money coming from? Where is it going? Do warlords get the aid or are towns getting the help? Polman suggests that we don’t just take whatever public service announcement each aid organization gives as the word of God. Instead, we should be analyzing each one and making sure the public knows exactly where its money is going.

Medecins Du Mond volunteer to give aid to refugees in Greece

One such organization that could be questioned is the World Bank, especially after it agreed to bailout Greece during its economic downfall. However, these types of organizations also like to compete with each other. For example, Polman says if the World Bank doesn’t immediately offer aid, another will take its place. And if Europe doesn’t offer, then countries like China will be in there immediately to take over and reap the rewards.