The success and failures of humanitarian assistance in the case of Haiti 2010: lessons learnt?

Abstract

The deadly earthquake that struck Haiti in January 2010 left the country in the balance. The international community rushed to its assistance with gigantic sums of aid. My dissertation addresses the questions of how was humanitarian aid delivered, what were its challenges and successes, how well the funds were spent and finally shed light on today’s condition. I argue that better internal and external coordination is required for superior results. My dissertation also expands the international community’s way of operating devoid of any accountability for its actions. Improved handling of funding as well as a new supervision system is required so as to avoid any potential prospect mismanagement. Further transparency ought to be placed where financial reports will indeed report on all involved actors’ deeds and their irrespective spending. There are many lessons to learn from and applied upon so that in future emergencies the international community can fully respect the local needs.