Problems in Humanitarian Aid

In Crisis Caravan, Linda Polman stresses the concern of what really happens with the aid humanitarians provide. The largest problems occur when the aid providers are getting into warzones to provide aid. Many times humanitarians are forced to bribe their ways in to help the people in need. Bribing the warlords or chiefs results in a very large dilemma, the loss of materials the NGO planned on using to aid the citizens in need. The price paid by the NGO varies from situation to situation. The book used the experience; “I’ve come upon chiefs who let me through in return for a ballpoint. It’s also happened that I’ve failed to get away with anything less than the promise of a shopping trip to the capital for the chiefs wife, in a UN helicopter.” Whatever the price, the aid isn’t used for what the donor had intended, and this is the principal concern of Polman throughout this book.

When Polman says, “Aid organizations are businesses dressed up like Mother Teresa,” she’s talking about NGOs not having enough regulations. When journalists are sent in to report of the aid being provided, they are just shown around by the aid providers. Journalists don’t really go around and ask the neighboring people or much about the situation other than the aid itself. They don’t report on experiences like the bribing of the warlord. Reporters also don’t question the certifications or educations of the people working for the NGO.

NGOs have such little restriction that this is okay for them to do. Rules haven’t been put in place to keep them from taking actions like bribing. Polman implies that more needs to be done to keep NGOs honest and properly functioning.

Humanitarian aid wouldn’t be possible without the help of journalists, the public, and the government. In Polman’s descriptions, journalists seem to start the whole process. Through publishing articles in magazines and in the newspaper citizens and the government gain awareness. Whatever journalists report on is made known to the public and many people are then willing to take action. Polman wrote, “Most donor governments and private donors give money based on newspaper headlines, not the extent and urgency of human suffering.” Donations fuel the NGOs but if proper aid isn’t being provided, what’s the point?

NGO handing out donated products in Thailand after severe flood.
oakmonster.com

            NGOs show journalists what they want the entire world to see and this results in the public and the government offering donations. The public and the government are huge in the successfulness of NGOs because they provide donations and funding to get the organization to the place that needs the aid. The government plays an even larger role because they can put the word out even more. Through speeches and public announcements, the public becomes more and more aware from very important people in society.

            Polman concludes page 179 with, “If we decided to pay aid organizations to go somewhere, we should demand they explain exactly what they think they’re going to achieve there and how.” Asking questions about what NGOs plan to do with their donations would help inform the public and may even help with regulations and monitoring being put into place.

Overall. Humanitarian aid should be monitored and Linda Polman strongly focuses on this principal throughout Crisis Caravan. Help should be provided but in proper, efficient ways.