The Dangers of Aid

The Dangers Of Aid

International aid seems like a fantastic idea on paper, and if it is properly executed then it is a fantastic practice. The idea of a rich, developed country helping out a struggling, developing one is heartwarming to say the least, however just like all things in life there can be an ulterior motive.

The topic of Tied Aid is a very touchy one, and this term refers to the practice of a developed country giving aid to a developing one however only once the developing country agrees to a set of terms. These might include the giving of land rights to the country supplying the aid, and in some extreme cases the purchasing of weapons from the country supplying the aid. A great example of this would be during the Cold War, where the United States essentially threw money at countries an attempt to prevent them from turning to communism or socialism.

At the same time, the blame for mismanagement of aid often lies on the recipient country itself. Far, far too many countries have become all but dependent on international aid. In some African countries, it would not be uncommon for example, for residents of a shanty town to be living in abject poverty beside a brand new, state-of-the-art sports pitch. Or a skyscraper. Or the head of state’s mansion. You get the picture.

If aid is to be given, it needs to be carefully managed and distributed by an impartial organization, preferably non-governmental. In an ideal world, aid would be received in the form of infrastructure, educational materials and advisory staff. The things that aid should be spent on. Many people in fact volunteer overseas in order to make sure that they are actually making a positive impact in person, as opposed to a €5-a-month donation which, for all intents and purposes, disappears. Which leads us onto our next topic- The “White Savior Complex”.

The White Savior Complex is the term used to describe when a white person, with the best possible intentions, inadvertently insinuates that people of other ethnicities are unable to survive on their own and require rescuing and assistance. This practice is unfortunately common in Africa, where people take part in so-called “slum tourism”, where foreigners go to poor slums to see ‘how “they” live’ and then leave without accomplishing anything and promptly forget about the experience. It is crucial that foreign volunteers don’t help “just to see what it’s like, and many local people find the practice demeaning and embarrassing.

So this Christmas, keep in mind the plight of people who are in desperate need of aid, and if you are going to donate, make sure that you know your money is going to make a meaningful difference to the lives of those who need it.

~The Icitabo Team