Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Shaun's Assignment
International development assistance CHALLENGE or FAILURE due to location or exclusion.
Write a research blog about real challenges or failures in international aid delivery because of reasons related to the organization itself, or because of the conditions of the area in which it is working. You should thoroughly research the problems and provide ideas as to why the challenge or failure occurred.
Unless the United Nations is allowed to expand and convert (“re-hat”) some of the existing AU force of 7,000 troops in Darfur to the 20,000 peacekeepers called for in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1706, passed on August 31, "the people of Darfur will face catastrophe," says the USAID Assistant Administrator of the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance, Michael Hess.
For this assignment I will write about USAID’s challenge to deliver aid to Darfur in Sudan.
Situation
According to change.org, an online hub for social change, Darfur is ranked as the third most difficult place to deliver aid to. The reason being that there have been long lasting clashes occurred in the western region of Darfur in the early 1970s between the pastoral tribes. The rebels accused the central government of neglecting the Darfur region economically, although there is uncertainty regarding the objectives of the rebels and whether they merely seek an improved position for Darfur within Sudan or outright secession. Both the government and the rebels have been accused of atrocities in this war, although most of the blame has fallen on Arab militias known as the Janjaweed, which are armed men appointed by the Al Saddiq Al Mahdi administration to stop the longstanding chaotic disputes between Darfur tribes.
Besides the widespread violence and political upheaval, it is also said that 80 infants die each day due to malnutrition. Statistics show that the conflict, famine, fighting, and disease has killed more than 2 million people, forced an estimated 500,000 Sudanese to seek refuge in neighboring countries, and displaced an additional 4 million individuals within Sudan.
Problems faced when delivering aid
1) Insecurity
2) Lack of humanitarian access
In October 2008 alone, 144 humanitarian premises assaulted and 225 humanitarian vehicles hijacked through October. Aid workers will have to apply for an exit visa to leave Sudan.
Possible solution: For this situation, the situation can be solved using the top down and bottom up approach.
For the top down approach, USAID can collaborate with the United Nations (UN) and step in to provide political reformation first. This is the diplomatic approach to solve the conflict between the many parties and the government. Also, through collaboration with the local government, aid such as food can be delivered through the official channels and thus, less food will be lost through corruption – yes, definitely food will be lost in the process due to stealing, etc. During this period of time, the UN can provide security aid as well.
Once the political situation has cooled down, further action such as construction can be done. This is to provide homes for the 2.7 million people that are currently in internally displaced people (IDP) camps. At this stage, the country should also be opening up to receive more international aid.
Camps of the IDP
For the bottom up approach, which would be less of less impact and effectiveness, USAID can focus on IDP camps to deliver aid to. This is because these people are the people that are directly affected of the on-going conflict and as such, they will require more aid. Short term aid such as food, water and medical supplies should be delivered first.
In the long run, USAID can start providing more skilled workers to help the displaced people cope with the trauma and start schools in the camps to educate the people there.
Shaun
We Loved6:28 AM
April 2008