Stuck in a rut...

I've already pretty much made my thoughts on Beslam clear in comments on Podge and Prill's blogs... Much as I tend to idealise, there is no easy answer, as usual. And as usual, things could have been done a lot better. I was reminded while reading the gospel according to Podge (only wry humour intended :p) of a very revealing article from the Times concerning "Aid".

"Aid" covers a multitude of sins, everything from weapons to nuclear secrets, but the article was referring to what happens when charities move in to a disaster area such as a famine in Africa, a flood in Bangladesh, or post-war Afghanistan, from which the author had just returned.

I cannot find it anywhere, and "Times Online" charges a subscription fee or something of the sort, so here is a short summary:

1. Charities compete for donations in their native country. They thus waste money on advertising campaigns etc.

2. Charities move into disaster area. Here they compete for the best sites, and accomodation for their workers. With over 2000 major charities incumbent, this sent Kabul property rents soaring above the reach of any of the residents. An added irony: most of these buildings were owned by the same local war lords that were causing the original problems.

3. The charities proceed to hire practically anyone with a reasonable education or desirable skills: for example, those able to translate for the "Aid workers" and those able to drive lorries. This prices local businesses out of the labour market, as the charities offer far highers wages than they can.

Together this means that revival of the economy in such areas is massively hindered.

Also: "Food Aid" is normally either captured by local warlord-type figures or distrubuted under their direction. Thus it is always their subordinates and supporters that benefit first from such schemes. Even rackets involving gangs commandeering newly built wells/taps and charging for their use have been known (mentioned in a different source).

All in all: it sux0rs. However, no one is likely to do anything about it, and this seems to be what Darfur can look forward to...

Quote of the moment:
I find it hard to tell you
'Cos I find it hard to take
When people run in circles
It's a very, very
Mad World...