Tsunami aid hope mired in financial politics
-18/02/05
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which has responsibility for international coordination in reconstructing areas devastated by the Indian ocean tsunami, says that global donations are falling massively short of what is needed.
In the first comprehensive assessment of the situation the UN says that the reconstruction is likely to cost upwards of £6.65 billion.
But as governments turn their attention elsewhere, charities close their appeals and development agencies warn that short-term responses distort long term priorities, the UN also says that promises of £2.9 billion still leave a gigantic shortfall of £3.75 billion.
The concern of Christian and other development organisations that government promises might not be met and might not be sufficient was highlighted on Ekklesia a month ago.
It appears that the British government has quietly shelved its promise to match private donations, with only £85 million forthcoming so far, compared to the £300 million raised through the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).
The DEC is announcing today that it will close its appeal on 26 February. Money is continuing to come in, but the real need is for long-term development not just short-term relief, say experts.
Christian Aid is among the agencies who are concerned that if people continue to ëearmarkí money for tsunami relief alone, commitment to other major areas of work, notably in Africa, will suffer.
Aid agencies have long been concerned about ëdonor orientedí giving ñ that is, money given in a way that satisfies the needs of the giver to see an immediate link between their generosity and action on the ground, but which may therefore ignore or worsen wider and longer term issues.
The Red Cross has come under fire in the tabloid media for ënot spending all the money it has received on tsunami relief yetí. But it says that it would be irresponsible not to invest in longer term development as well as short term relief. That is the responsible way to get the most out of donations, it explains.
There are also concerns that some less responsible Christian agencies continue to exploit tsunami suffering to benefit themselves and to engage in questionable forms of proselytism.
A tsunami prayer page with resource links continues to be available in association with Ekklesia.
Tsunami aid hope mired in financial politics
-18/02/05
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which has responsibility for international coordination in reconstructing areas devastated by the Indian ocean tsunami, says that global donations are falling massively short of what is needed.
In the first comprehensive assessment of the situation the UN says that the reconstruction is likely to cost upwards of £6.65 billion.
But as governments turn their attention elsewhere, charities close their appeals and development agencies warn that short-term responses distort long term priorities, the UN also says that promises of £2.9 billion still leave a gigantic shortfall of £3.75 billion.
The concern of Christian and other development organisations that government promises might not be met and might not be sufficient was highlighted on Ekklesia a month ago.
It appears that the British government has quietly shelved its promise to match private donations, with only £85 million forthcoming so far, compared to the £300 million raised through the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).
The DEC is announcing today that it will close its appeal on 26 February. Money is continuing to come in, but the real need is for long-term development not just short-term relief, say experts.
Christian Aid is among the agencies who are concerned that if people continue to ëearmarkí money for tsunami relief alone, commitment to other major areas of work, notably in Africa, will suffer.
Aid agencies have long been concerned about ëdonor orientedí giving ñ that is, money given in a way that satisfies the needs of the giver to see an immediate link between their generosity and action on the ground, but which may therefore ignore or worsen wider and longer term issues.
The Red Cross has come under fire in the tabloid media for ënot spending all the money it has received on tsunami relief yetí. But it says that it would be irresponsible not to invest in longer term development as well as short term relief. That is the responsible way to get the most out of donations, it explains.
There are also concerns that some less responsible Christian agencies continue to exploit tsunami suffering to benefit themselves and to engage in questionable forms of proselytism.
A tsunami prayer page with resource links continues to be available in association with Ekklesia.