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Panel Detail:

Tuesday, April 28, 2009
4:00 PM - 5:15 PM

Global Aid Workers: Heroes on the Front Lines

Moderator:

Cinny Kennard, Senior Fellow, USC Annenberg School for Communication's Center on Communication Leadership and Policy

The climate for global aid workers has changed dramatically in the past few years. Once untouchable, many now fall victim to targeted attacks in volatile regions around the world. In 2008, more than 100 aid workers were killed — and that number rises above 200 when taking kidnappings and other violent attacks into account, according to Nancy Aossey of International Medical Corps.

"We used to be able to go out with a big red cross on our jeep or a U.N. sign on our car and it was a cone of immunity. That has changed," recounted Larry Brilliant of the Skoll Urgent Threats Fund and Google. According to the panel, this dramatic shift from aid workers being immune to becoming targets is due in large part to deeply held misconceptions about intentions of aid workers. "Part of the problem we face with violence toward aid workers is misconceptions about the role of foreigners," Brilliant observed.

Caryl Stern of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF agreed, noting some of the practical reasons aid workers face increased violence. "Attackers know aid organizations have good jeeps, so they steal ours. They also know that whatever violence they cause, they get a chance to get their message to the press," she remarked. These security concerns not only create a sense of danger in some regions, but have significantly increased the cost of delivering supplies.

Despite the growing safety concerns, aid organizations are still operating thanks to a committed and courageous group of individuals who feel a calling to humanitarian work despite the personal risks. Aossey stated, "Most of our volunteers do it in large part because they really want to help the communities, and because doing the work provides a lot of meaning and impact in their lives." The panel agreed that these individuals doing incredible work in tough regions are the true unsung heroes. The best way to prepare these workers and support them in the field is with appropriate training.

The panelists also discussed the down economy and its effect on the work of NGOs and aid workers. According to Brilliant, many organizations are already suffering because some foundations just don′t exist anymore. Stern noted the effect that the economy was having on the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, sharing that some big donors have disappeared, but individuals and families that give small donations remain consistent in their giving. She shared, "The people that give us small, consistent donations tell us they have decisions they can make with their money, but the children UNICEF serves never had a choice to begin with." This continued support helps make it possible for NGOs and global aid workers to address some of the world′s most challenging problems.

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