Refugees International: Issues: Building Local Capacity

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Building Local Capacity

Concerns

The avowed aim of all international aid programs is to enable a country and its people to stand on their own. Yet building local capacity and expertise is often ignored, and even undermined, by aid agencies. Frequently, when a humanitarian crisis occurs, international aid agencies move in quickly with expatriate personnel and then, to augment their international contingent, hire the most competent local people, thereby stripping local organizations of their best people. When the aid agencies depart, as they eventually do, and resources shrink, local organizations find it difficult to survive and remain weak.

Strengthening civil society and local groups is particularly essential in countries in transition towards peace after long wars and civil conflicts. Foreign groups should engage more with local institutions and groups if they expect to have long lasting impact. The relationship should be based on genuine partnerships, sharing resources and responsibilities. In processes like reintegration of former child combatants, as in Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Refugees International advocated that training and greater financial resources be provided for local groups managing transit centers and engaged in family reunifications. In Liberia, local organizations working in reproductive health need more funding to increase their capacity to respond to the needs of thousands of women trying to rebuild their lives.

Accomplishments

For a number of years, RI has helped build local grassroots organizations. We make a special effort to promote the successfull work they do, as they are often unknown to donors.

An example is work among the Phnong highland people of eastern Cambodia. After focusing on maximizing emergency assistance from UN and other sources during the 1999 repatriation process RI facilitated the involvement of a local development NGO --- Cambodia Family Development Services --- the first to come to the Phnong home province of Mondulkiri. Currently our emphasis is on protecting the Phnong cultural heritage and land rights and encouraging higher education for Phnong youth. RI is sponsoring the first Phnong individual ever to attend law school.

What You Can Do

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