OneWorld.net (U.S.)

© Action Against Hunger-USA / Jim BulgatzThose of us who work in humanitarian aid know that poverty is not inevitable. The international community is fully equipped to eradicate it. The world produces more than enough food to feed everyone and to keep them healthy.

Humanitarian organizations prove daily that they can eliminate poverty when communities are victimized suddenly by natural disasters, or when political upheavals drive populations to become refugees. At Action Against Hunger, for example, we shelter victims, feed them, give them access to clean water and sanitation, inoculate them against diseases, and provide them with seeds, tools, and training. As soon as displaced populations are supplied with such resources, they can again become economically productive.

Unfortunately, humanitarian assistance is less effective when communities live long-term with obstacles created by trade barriers, colonial history, tribal bias, or corrupt governments. Why are such obstacles problematic? Because, for example, high import duties overseas can make a worker’s efforts unmarketable in foreign countries—or, alternatively, a foreign government’s subsidies can keep the prices of its goods so low that foreign goods compete unfairly with goods produced in poor countries.

Further, due to the racism of a colonial past, or age-old tribal biases within a country, societies can relegate ethnic or religious minorities to an inferior status. And, a government can tax its workers’ income at excessive rates, crippling workers’ abilities to support themselves. Matters are made much worse when a government lavishes luxuries on its ministers rather than spending money on the infrastructure needed to improve its citizens’ lives.

Where such poverty-making policies are entrenched, aid workers can only mitigate the effects. We sometimes find ourselves working on assistance programs for years in countries where the original emergency has passed, or has become a chronic emergency. When aid agencies are forced to prolong their efforts, we keep people alive but communities can become aid dependent.

In sum, poverty thrives when government policies exacerbate economic insecurity. At Action Against Hunger, we often observe correctable social and political barriers that cause poverty. We report these to donor governments, to enforcement agencies, and to human rights organizations. In many cases, our reporting has resulted in changes that have improved conditions. In the Democratic Republic of Congo and in Burundi, for example, we were able to convince the government to incorporate responsible nutrition practices in their countries’ medical policies.

More broadly, humanitarian organizations can play an important role in drawing attention to governments that are oppressing their citizens. NGOs can persuade their own governments to bring moral and economic pressure on oppressive governments until they make essential reforms. All countries, regardless of their state of development or political leaning, have essential responsibilities to their citizens. Working together in coalitions, such as the ONE Campaign in the U.S., we need to reach individuals everywhere who will feel inspired to learn more about the problems of their neighbors in countries not as fortunate as ours. As one of 37 humanitarian organizations in this coalition, we can amplify the message to governments around the world that it is time to “make poverty history.”

Cathy Skoula, Executive Director