tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811379.post113821378997752357..comments2023-08-01T10:13:03.257-04:00Comments on In and out of the world: Foreign Aid Shell GameDamselFishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11609237417738825530noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811379.post-1138370642228786902006-01-27T09:04:00.000-05:002006-01-27T09:04:00.000-05:00Humanitarian Aid, Development, and National Intere...Humanitarian Aid, Development, and National Interest<BR/><BR/>I assume that the work done by governments and NGOs in response to an earthquake, a tsunami, a drought, or an epidemic is humanitarian aid., in so far as the work brings the area back to its pre-existing condition. Housing, food supplies, water availability and health are as good as before the event. We provde blankets, temporary shelter, medicine, and food as a quick response. Do or should we rebuild in the impacted area? Do we relocate those impacted? When does humanitarian aid stop and development begin? <BR/><BR/>Development would the be something that changed the initial situation in the area. For example; a new water well, a micro-finance scheme, a new school, improved farming techniques, improved health care, better use of resources and better distribution of there returns, or some change in infrastructure. Often no plans are made to deal with the issues raised by those who are displaced by the development.<BR/><BR/>It is my observation that “development” often brings about conditions that stress the resources of an area. For example: fewer deaths from disease result in a growing population and the cultural practices in the area can not support the larger population; or new technologies are introduced which allow early adopters to increase their output but those without the means to adopt the technology fall farther behind, a new water well permits more cattle to be moved into poorer grazing areas and the next drouth wipes them out. The result often is that migration to areas of poorer resources, in the hopes of scratching out a living, or to areas of denser population, in the hope of finding employment, stresses the capacity of the government in dealing with the changing population. <BR/><BR/>National interest would seem to include actions to bring about political stability, encourage economic development to enhance trade and limit conditions that give rise to terrorist activity. I assume that national interest may not always coincide with the desires of the leadership in the area of interest. For example: it is in our interest to avoid the development of strong totalitarian states. We therefore attempt to use diplomacy and perhaps force to limit the expansion of the number of states with nuclear capability. At least some in our country have determined that it is in our national interest to establish democracies in countries that are under totalitarian rule. Yet, the results of elections bring about leadership that is opposed to the interest of our leadership and perhaps the interest of the majority in our country.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps of greater importance than Governments or NGOs, to aid and development in the 21st century, are the multi-national corporations. They move capital to the areas of cheap labor, providing employment and raising income of workers in the LDC. To the extent that they do not exploit the under privileged, the increase in capital relative to labor can be seen as a correction in the balance of resources.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811379.post-1138236237291801892006-01-25T19:43:00.000-05:002006-01-25T19:43:00.000-05:00Quality stuff. I updated my post with a link back...Quality stuff. I updated my post with a link back to this one and blathered on a bit about 'improvement' and indicators. You can always vent to me about USAID, talking points, and organizational spinelessness if you get tired of silently stewing!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com