International aid towards the Democratic Republic of Congo is generally focused on spreading awareness and funding local projects in DR of Congo. Overall, there were not too many organizations out to help the DR of Congo. Three prominent aid groups were Women for Women, Foundation Maisha, and Falling Whistles. The organizations focus on women, children, and child soldiers.
Falling Whistles deals primarily with child soldiers and awareness of the people fighting in the DR of Congo. The organization sells whistles because that is the only warning that the child soldiers get before their enemies attack. The money they receive goes to help former child soldiers recover.
Foundation Maisha also deals with children by helping them get off the street. All of the violence in the DR of Congo has left many children poor and along. Foundation Maisha gives them a chance to go to school to enhance their future.
Women for Women helps the many women who have been effected by the war. They help with rape victims and improve their economic standing and their confidence. Much of the money donated is used for food, clothing, and medical expenses.
These organizations seem to be helping the survivors of problems more than they can help people currently in the action. They are working as relief efforts to try to help the people who have been harmed.
I think the fact that they are working with people who have already gone through somethings in a way is probbaly more beneficial. It's often really hard to help those who are already undergoing these horrible things and sometimes there isn't really a way for you to help out at all. I think that these orginizations are probably making more of a difference by helping these survivors. I think that their strategy is one that could be used in many other siatutaions that are currently going on today and would help out a lot more. I'm happy that these three organizations are really doing a lot to help out considering that not a lot of other people are doing that.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like these international aid organize create alliances, but do not actually help all that much. The organizations that do help the women in the Congo, like Women for Women, do provide aid for women...however, it does not change the overall mentality/actions of the country. I wonder if members of NGO's are keeping their work to a somewhat minimum for fear of their own safety in the Congo.
ReplyDeleteAll of these organizations seem somewhat reactionary in their approach to aid. I understand why it would be difficult, and probably borderline impossible, for an organization to insert themselves into the conflict in order to solve the root of the problems instead of the results of them, but at the same time it's so desperately needed. Clearly, approaching this conflict from a political avenue doesn't seem to be terribly effective, and maybe humanitarian aid isn't the right answer either. But if not, then what is?
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