You’re working on a development project in a given country, and suddenly conflict breaks out in the form of a coup, ethnic strife or a natural disaster. How should you react, and how should you prepare to deal with crises in countries where conflict is a constant threat?
Some development organizations withdraw their staff and suspend their programs at the slightest hint their operations may be in danger, while other aid groups prefer to wait and see how the situation plays out. In political crises, it’s up to the donor if the money for the project comes from official development assistance, said Todd Moss, chief operating officer and senior fellow at the Center for Global Development.
“The U.S. government must legally withdraw all assistance to a government after a coup, but they are allowed to make humanitarian exceptions,” he told Devex. “The same general principle should apply to NGOs and other development organizations. Juntas won't care about the effects on ordinary people, so I don't think aid organizations should expect a withdrawal would have any influence.”
About the author
Carlos Santamaria
Carlos Santamaria is a multimedia journalist and editor based in Manila. A former Devex associate editor, he has over a decade of experience working for international media outlets such as Reuters, Associated Press, Xinhua and EFE in Spain, China, the Philippines, Thailand and the United States, and has covered major crisis situations on the ground in Myanmar and Japan. Carlos is currently an editorial and communications consultant with the Asian Development Bank.
