The moral dilemma’s of humanitarian aid organizations
Plucky people in Darfur
With:
- Mr. Mukesh Kapila, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and the UNDP Resident Representative for the Sudan (2003/4)
- Arjan Hehenkamp, Director Medicines sans Frontières (Artsen zonder Grenzen)
- Goossen Hoenders, Save the Children
The main question of the night will be: what problems do aid organizations have when working in a conflict area. There will be logistic problems for example, but also more moral dilemma’s.
Issues we would like to discuss are:
- How do you prevent relief ending up in the wrong hands?
- What do you do when the parties in conflict abuse or sabotage the aid you provide?
- How do you make sure you are not seen as an ‘aspostle’ of the Western interest? How do you stay neutral?
- The amount of kidnappings in Darfur increase: how do you respond to this? What are the procedures?
- When is the moment that you decide to leave the conflict area. How long do you stay?
We have asked Arjan Hehenkamp to draw a picture of the problems that Doctors Without Borders have faced recently. What moral dilemma’s did they have to deal with? And how did they deal with them? What is their vision on humanitarian action?
We have asked Mukesh Kapila to share his view on the future role of humanitarian aid organizations in Darfur:
- How are aid organizations suppose to deal with moral dilemma’s?
- What are possible solutions to the problems NGO’s face?
- What is his overall assessment of the prospects for peace in Sudan?
- What is the role of the UN in the post-conflict period?
- What is his approach to humanitarian work in Darfur?