In the first week of this minor we made a timeline of big events in the world that impacted the aid and development. The most current event in this timeline was the Covid pandemic. In that week the measures would be dropped and for the fist time in two years we could walk around without a face mask and it felt like we were finally going into easier times.
Fast forward to a week later, Russia invaded Ukraine and war felt closer than ever. All over the world people want to help and provide aid for people in Ukraine. Humanitarian aid has suddenly become super relevant and people are more motivated to help, but how can we help people who are in an acute crisis in the best way? Last week the Red Cross Netherlands answered to this question "Donate money. This is the most efficient way. In this way we can help organizations in the region. Of course it's also good if things are sent that way, but that's not the most efficient, because a lot of people want to get out of there." (RTL Nieuws, in Dutch)
Giving money to organizations might feel a bit 'out of your own control' but larger organization can spend this money in the best way. These organizations have the connections and recourses to make a big impact and provide the much needed aid in a crisis. At the time of writing the war in Ukraine has been goin on for a week and there are already over a million refugees fleeing from Ukraine (BBC). These people suddenly find themself in a situation where even basic human rights are not met. To make sure that people get the best help immediate relief has to focus on multiple point. The video below shows how organizations can help.
So NGO's and other organizations can do a lot but the set up in crisis times are different then when development projects are set up. There is basically no time to plan and the first focus is on survival. While at development projects the focus is more on long term improvement. Larger organizations like Red Cross or Unicef usually have a quicker response time in times of crisis than individual initiatives from let's say Dutch people who want to help. Professor Paul Hoebink from the Radboud University said "Providing emergency aid is a profession. So leave it to the professionals. Collecting and sending medicines is a specialism. I understand that people are shocked, and that they tend to immediately become active and help, but that doesn't always work." (RTL Nieuws, in Dutch)
I believe that it is always good to help and you should do whatever you can. So even small things can make a difference. Local initiatives are great but it would be a shame if all the hard work you do turns out to be unnecessary or it fails in the logistics. So make sure you have all the information you need or help by donating money and letting the professionals do their work.
To come back to the call from the Red Cross, what they are doing with all the euro's donated in the last week, you can read it here!
Great blog! I think it is effective to give the bigger initiatives money but I also think that doing things on your own can also make a big impact on individuals, take for example all the people that are driving to the border to pick Ukrainians up and take them home with them. That is something so small for us, but it's such a big thing for the Ukrainians! Because in the end, the larger organizations such as Red Cross also have a limit in how much they can help those people, and that's when the individuals can make a big difference.
It's really sad what happens in Ukrain nowadays. I can totally understand that the first reaction of people is "We have to help". And I agree that even little things can help. I think everyone can help, but the most effective way in my opinion is to help the big professionals and expert by for example donating money or stuff. And not start aid individually or in smaller groups. Because, together we are stronger and can achieve more!