the role of international aid in africa

Role of International Aid and

National Community Aid Organizations (NCAOs) in Africa

The Missing Link

Scope of the Presentation

Africans are producers & Need protection

International aid record in Africa

Strategic Areas/ Approach

International Aid – desired outcomes

Greater equity in international trade.

The alleviation of world poverty.

The promotion of environmental sustainability.

The fulfilment of workers’ rights in the developing world.

what desired outcomes?

International aid has poor record in Africa

• Lack of recipient ownership Ineffective aid management and policies Prevalence of donor-driven projects Poor aid coordination Shortage of resources for recurrent

operations and maintenance. Bad governance of African state’s

institutions. Exclusion of Civil Society (NCAO) from

the process.

How to ensure that production and trade leads to

sustainable development in three areas: (fair-trade)

Africans are producers

Fair-trade is needed to push for the right direction.

Social developme

nt

Economic developme

nt

Environmental

development

National & Community Aid Organizations (NCAOs) in Africa

THEIR KNOWLEDGE: know better their humanitarian needs.

An establish reach to vulnerable people.

have moral obligation for the INGOs they host in their area. ( not explored?).

strengthen security & protection of humanitarian workers (address underline causes of abduction)

National & Community Aid Organizations (NCAO) in Africa

THEIR CAPACITY: they have basic capacity to identify and

implement.

capacity needs to be enhanced but it is readily available

THEIR EFFICIENCY:

Can be more efficient (time, cost, quality)

particularly more efficient than government authorities.

National & Community Aid Organizations (NCAO) in Africa

IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGE

• International NGOs quicker, more efficient. (but limited reach, high costs & security is a limiting factor).

• When NCAO manage provision of interventions it gives them ownership, However;

i. slower ii. Need significant costs in building

capacity.

National & Community Aid Organizations (NCAOs) in Africa

ACCOUNTABILITY CHALLENEGE

• level of ownership determines accountability required from NCAOs.

• Equal partnership versus sub-contracting determine level of trust

• sharing info/communication and interaction among stakeholders and/or partners

National & Community Aid Organizations (NCAOs) in Africa

INTERNATIONAL NGOs

Establish equal partnership with

NCAOs to enhance ownership,

accountyability and collaboration.

formal recognition of NCAO role in

humanitarian & development action

GOVERNEMENT& DONORS

Establish professional partnership with NCAO

Make funding available for capacity building of NCAO

formal recognition of the NCAOs‘ role in humanitarian & development action

What is the future ahead ?

An old man from Darfur said:

“if you want peace and development in Africa you MUST take away the guns and bullets from our children and replace it with pens and books”

What is the way forward?

A lady from an NCAO in Chad said

“if you need the African government to be accountable for aid delivery you MUST nurture NCAO today and bring them to the table tomorrow”

Africanization of aid: Tap on African Values

Tap on Africa’s traditions and Religion values to enhance humanitarian action and development interventions

Build the capacity of Leaders in NCAO and Government (effective training).

Thank You