Tom Murphy is a New Hampshire-based reporter for Humanosphere. Before joining Humanosphere, Tom founded and edited the aid blog A View From the Cave. His work has appeared in Foreign Policy, the Huffington Post, the Guardian, GlobalPost and Christian Science Monitor. He tweets at ViewFromTheCave
Our twitter #Elle101 chat focused on humanitarian aid, its meanings, its limitations and how aid can be improved.
What is Humanitarian Aid?
In short, it is assistance to help end suffering. But there are two main strands, aid and hum assistance #elle101 https://t.co/Ai90INx2BZ
— Tom Murphy (@viewfromthecave) August 5, 2016
When we talk about aid, it is usually money provided by donor countries or orgs like the World Bank to developing countries #elle101
— Tom Murphy (@viewfromthecave) August 5, 2016
Many have criticized aid stating that it fosters an environment of dependency on the donor as well as economic suppression. However, there are some examples where the above premise has been shown to be wrong.
The best examples generally come from south-east Asia where economies require less aid than before #elle101 https://t.co/IYoYkIOGPy
— Tom Murphy (@viewfromthecave) August 5, 2016
In her book ‘Dead Aid’, Dambisa Moyo says aid is not working in Africa. What does Tom think?
I think it depends on how one defines "working." By the lofty goals set by the industry, aid falls short. #elle101 https://t.co/upSFMpf7sg
— Tom Murphy (@viewfromthecave) August 5, 2016
I think Moyo raises important questions. But the focus should probably be on how to change status quo. #elle101 https://t.co/upSFMpf7sg
— Tom Murphy (@viewfromthecave) August 5, 2016
Whether or not aid is working in Africa almost doesn't matter because it is not going away. #elle101 https://t.co/upSFMpf7sg
— Tom Murphy (@viewfromthecave) August 5, 2016
Is humanitarian Aid always a failure?
It just isn't true. Tell that to Syrian refugees assisted by UNHCR or Liberian Ebola patients helped by MSF #elle101 https://t.co/jogBI66bt8
— Tom Murphy (@viewfromthecave) August 5, 2016
A lot has to be considered with humanitarian aid: timely response, effective aid, qualified resources. This can be challenging in many ways.
The big challenge is the industry coming to terms with its limits. The Syria crisis is forcing that convo. #elle101 https://t.co/8LIWwRPqCR
— Tom Murphy (@viewfromthecave) August 5, 2016
We've seen in Syria that humanitarian assistance can provide help to suffering ppl, but cannot end the war. #elle101 https://t.co/8LIWwRPqCR
— Tom Murphy (@viewfromthecave) August 5, 2016
However, Tom offers solutions to reduce international response in times of crisis and make humanitarian aid more effective.
Also, evidence is building that giving people cash or vouchers is most effective and faster. #elle101 https://t.co/CCa4shfVq6
— Tom Murphy (@viewfromthecave) August 5, 2016
For the U.S. reform food aid rules to allow more foreign purchases and increase use of local resources #elle101. https://t.co/CCa4shfVq6
— Tom Murphy (@viewfromthecave) August 5, 2016
We close on the importance of organizations such as humanosphere.
We at @TheHumanosphere believe that the global effort 2 end poverty is important and deserves to be covered #elle101 https://t.co/VppbrIfYUS
— Tom Murphy (@viewfromthecave) August 5, 2016
.@TheHumanosphere can contribute in some way towards achieving larger humanitarian goals by holding leaders accountable #elle101
— Tom Murphy (@viewfromthecave) August 5, 2016
We also have a responsibility to look closely at things that are working, rather than simply harp on corruption and failure #elle101
— Tom Murphy (@viewfromthecave) August 5, 2016
#ELLE101 is our Twitter chat which takes place every first Friday of the month at 3pm (London Time). The chat which is hosted from our twitter account (@elleafrique), typically lasts for an hour and discusses different topics with a special guest. #ELLE101 provides you with the chance to network and grow your circle (and knowledge!) through shared interests.