Misconstructions of our vital work hampers aid effectiveness and endangers our workers

A study has been carried out by the Feinstein International Centre which looks at the issues of universality, terrorism, coherence and security in relation to the humanitarian enterprise in Sri Lanka. The centre publicises its research on the politics and policy of aiding the vulnerable carried out by humanitarian workers across the globe. It has indicated that there is a worrying negative perception of our kind of work being regarded as a ‘self serving enterprise’ (Humanitarian Agenda 2015). The tsunami experience of money flooding in but no one really seeing where it was going was the foundation to this perception. Now with the ongoing conflict, there is widespread suspicion that agencies are using humanitarian action to pursue other agendas, especially pro- LTTE leanings. We have to be very clear about our mandates and communicate them in order that local political interests don’t misconstruct our work. At this crucial time we need the support of our government, our people and the international community to carry out the vital work of emergency response and rehabilitation. The study concluded that the negative construction of our work has hampered the delivery and effectiveness of assistance. It has also endangered the lives of aid workers. It states that ‘humanitarian engagement in Sri Lanka is likely to become increasingly dangerous and difficult unless international actors become more aware about how they are being politically manipulated and can better communicate their mission so as to counter this negative view constructed in order to further local interests’. Let us be aware and unite to work meaningfully and safely to serve our people.
(for full report please see http://fic.tufts.edu/?pid=10)