Unintended Consequences of Foreign Aid
International aid efforts in Haiti should be better coordinated to achieve meaningful, measurable, and accountable results that align with the needs and gaps in the social service sector.
We often see several Haiti foreign aid groups working independently, filled with good intentions and faith, but we always ask ourselves a crucial question before initiating any new project - "What drives our desire to provide aid in Haiti? Is it to deliver sustainable programs, seek redemption, or the intoxicating feeling of providing quick and inexpensive help with immediate gratification?" No judgment is intended; we engage in these debates almost every day of the year.
However, what is elementary is that the lack of coordination leads to inefficiency and wastage of dollars.