Relief to Development

The United States receives a bad wrap when it comes to development assistance. Statistics are frequently batted around that show the United States as being one of the least generous industrialized countries. I have yet to see figures that include the donations of Americans to non profit organizations. Supporting foundations, non profit and faith based groups, universities, and other institutions is an integral part of this country's philanthropic tradition. One would be hard pressed to find a governmental agency or multilateral organization that does not collaborate with non profit groups. There are clearly many opportunities for synergy.

However, the gap between relief and development is an ongoing source of discussion and contention. Americans are particularly generous during times of disaster. Many non profits know this and strive to cash in when a disaster occurs, so they can set aside a portion of the funds for community development or disaster mitigation activities. By way of example, the Haitian city of Gonaives was hit hard by a medium strength tropical storm in 2004. There was a strong humanitarian response from the American government and several non profit organizations. But can we say Gonaives is any safer today? Deforestation, the root cause of the flooding, remains unaddressed. So long as Port au Prince remains unstable, the Haitian government is unlikely to turn its attention outwards.

Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, provides us with a model for educating the public on the importance of long term assistance. During the Tsunami response, MSF posted on their website that they had all the money they needed for relief activities. Any funds raised from that point on would be dedicated to longer term development programs. Bringing the issue of relief to development to the forefront can encourage transparency and accountability.

I am hard pressed to think of a year in recent memory when Haiti was not affected by some form of disaster. Undoubtedly, there will be more to come. Donors and non profit organizations alike should be thinking of how humanitarian response can be linked to the very development activities that will reduce the number and severity of disasters. Does prevention sell? Perhaps with transparency from the non profit community and from donors alike, it can. Now, that would be innovative.

Bryan