Perhaps rather than treating symptoms, the UN may want to re-examine its accounting and procurement practices to more efficiently use the money they do have...
UN reports record humanitarian aid shortfall
UN reports record humanitarian aid shortfall
Globe and Mail
Laura MacInnis
GENEVA Reuters
Last updated on Tuesday, Jul. 21, 2009 11:31AM EDT
The United Nations on Tuesday revealed a record $4.8-billion funding gap for its 2009 aid projects as a result of strained foreign assistance, widespread economic trouble and a ten-fold increase in needs in Pakistan.
This recession is driving up humanitarian needs, UN Emergency Relief Co-ordinator John Holmes told a news briefing in Geneva, where he held meetings with donor nations who will soon set their 2010 aid budgets.
A financing report prepared for those sessions stressed that the United Nations has received less than half the $9.5-billion it sought for humanitarian work this year. Yet some 43 million people need assistance this year, up from 28 million in 2008.
They mostly come at night. Mostly.
- university webpage: McGill University
- conflict simulations webpage: PaxSims
Perhaps rather than treating symptoms, the UN may want to re-examine its accounting and procurement practices to more efficiently use the money they do have...
"The status quo is not sustainable. All of DoD needs to be placed in a large bag and thoroughly shaken. Bureaucracy and micromanagement kill."
-- Ken White
"With a plan this complex, nothing can go wrong." -- Schmedlap
"We are unlikely to usefully replicate the insights those unencumbered by a military staff college education might actually have." -- William F. Owen
Of course, that would require that the UN politicos be actually accountable to someone - unlikelyOriginally Posted by IntelTrooper
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Sic Bisquitus Disintegrat...
Marc W.D. Tyrrell, Ph.D.
Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies,
Senior Research Fellow,
The Canadian Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies, NPSIA
Carleton University
http://marctyrrell.com/
Much easier to call for more money and point accusing fingers....Of course, that would require that the UN politicos be actually accountable to someone - unlikely
"On the plains and mountains of the American West, the United States Army had once learned everything there was to learn about hit-and-run tactics and guerrilla warfare."
T.R. Fehrenbach This Kind of War
Too true - just ask any Canadian, we know all about overpriced bureaucrats and politicosMuch easier to call for more money and point accusing fingers....! It's really too bad since tehre actually are people who believe in public service although, I'll admit, they're rare as hen's teeth at the UN
!
Sic Bisquitus Disintegrat...
Marc W.D. Tyrrell, Ph.D.
Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies,
Senior Research Fellow,
The Canadian Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies, NPSIA
Carleton University
http://marctyrrell.com/
Although I realize its said partly in jest, Marc--but I will say I know a great many UN folks who put enormous effort into their work precisely because they believe in what they are doing.It's really too bad since tehre actually are people who believe in public service although, I'll admit, they're rare as hen's teeth at the UN
On the broader issue of UN effectiveness, there are certainly inefficient UN staff and UN organizations. Those working frontline humanitarian assistance, however, generally do it quite well--and that's what the press report is addressing.
(I could add, on the issue of cost-effectiveness, that the $9.5 billion that the UN is seeking for 43 million people in crisis is equal to less than 2% of the US defense budget.)
Last edited by Rex Brynen; 07-21-2009 at 10:56 PM.
They mostly come at night. Mostly.
- university webpage: McGill University
- conflict simulations webpage: PaxSims
I think many here would be in agreement that US defense spending is also way out of control.
"The status quo is not sustainable. All of DoD needs to be placed in a large bag and thoroughly shaken. Bureaucracy and micromanagement kill."
-- Ken White
"With a plan this complex, nothing can go wrong." -- Schmedlap
"We are unlikely to usefully replicate the insights those unencumbered by a military staff college education might actually have." -- William F. Owen
Hi Rex,
Agreed on the frontline crowd - I know some of them and part of my dislike of the UN as an organization stems from watching good people trying to do a hellish job while parasites suck up their resources.
Sic Bisquitus Disintegrat...
Marc W.D. Tyrrell, Ph.D.
Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies,
Senior Research Fellow,
The Canadian Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies, NPSIA
Carleton University
http://marctyrrell.com/
You get the understatement ofthe week award.
no question...
I accept this award on behalf of all sarcastic, repressed, overtaxed Americans..no question...
"The status quo is not sustainable. All of DoD needs to be placed in a large bag and thoroughly shaken. Bureaucracy and micromanagement kill."
-- Ken White
"With a plan this complex, nothing can go wrong." -- Schmedlap
"We are unlikely to usefully replicate the insights those unencumbered by a military staff college education might actually have." -- William F. Owen
Quite so. I don't slag the dedicated frontline folks. It's the bloated bureaucracy that tends to get me.
"On the plains and mountains of the American West, the United States Army had once learned everything there was to learn about hit-and-run tactics and guerrilla warfare."
T.R. Fehrenbach This Kind of War
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