Sustainability in global assistance

How do we keep global assistance sustainable?  
Should we give a hand-out or a hand-up? 
Is aid a feel-good action or a long-term benefit?  
Do you trust the use of foreign aid? 

The recent dramatic and abrupt cancellation of foreign aid by the US has exposed the weaknesses in foreign aid and raised serious concerns as to whether it is a sustainable approach for global assistance. Called a ‘Foreign aid Wipeout’ in this article (by Mccurdy and Bradley), this action led to the termination of 86% of foreign aid programs.  

The wipeout has led to catastrophic impacts in receiving countries, particularly in Africa, such as denial of medication for Ugandan and Tasmanian HIV patients and loss of access to clean water for refugees in the DRC. As the climate of geopolitics changes globally, wipeout in foreign aid has highlighted the shortcomings of current top-down approach in global assistance.  

So how do we shift global assistance from short-term relief to long term sustainability? The current structure of foreign aid can lead to over-reliance and dependency on aid in receiving countries. This not only poses a huge risk to vulnerable populations but also reinforces an imbalance in power dynamics. Therefore, aside from the ethical concerns surrounding the wipeout, it is also a wakeup call to reform the structure of global aid.  

In contrast, the ‘hand-up’ ethos of REI, contributes to sustainable development because projects are run by local teams who understand the culture and context.  Community-based programs that fit the local culture can continue working even with limited resources and remain strong with modest support. The effects are long term and structural instead of temporary fixes. Importantly, this approach gives beneficiaries transferable skills which can be applied long-term in various ways.  

For example, the addiction rehabilitation program on the Thai Myanmar border, supported by REI, treats, educates, and trains individuals in the camps. It shows sustainability as recovering participants return to being responsible members of the community, many becoming trainers and community workers in the program. REI also supports funding to a Maternal Health awareness and baby kit project in Karen State of Myanmar. The knowledge received from the program is shared through the community and across generations, ensuring long-term effects and sustainable change. 

REI values sustainability by prioritising projects which enable people to support each other. In other words, it promotes for independence over dependency. Sustainable global assistance benefits both the receivers but and the donors by ensuring lasting change. 

As long as severe inequality exists due to development gaps and conflict, global assistance will always be necessary. Looking ahead, it is important to rethink how global assistance must be delivered to ensure it is truly sustainable?