DO NO HARM: How Aid Can Support Peace-Or War By Mary B. Anderson
Mary B. Anderson in her book DO NO HARM How Aid Can Support Peace-Or War, introduces a model and some positive strategies that should be undertaken and realized by aid agencies in conflict areas. The book uses contemporary examples of conflicts (including instances of genocide, famine, and various other human rights abuses) and the ways in which aid has helped stop, or further prolong, these conflicts. The book argues that aid agencies need to be acutely aware of how their actions, no matter how small, can have a lasting impact. Anderson stresses that no one, or no group, should be alienated in aid processes- if aid agencies neglect or deny any particular person or group resentment can and likely will grow further entrenching the area in violence and conflict. Furthermore, aid agencies need to find ways to involve and work with conflicted groups, often the governments themselves which are facilitating humanitarian abuses, to work to create a peaceful environment, respect and proper use of aid.
The book is very well written and is easy to follow and in part due to the overall length of the text, 147 pages, I feel that the general public audience would be able to read through it without any serious impediments to completion. The way the book is outlined is very clear, breaking the text into parts and chapters, each section with its own headline. During the first half of the book, about a quarter-to one-third is dedicated to examples in conflict areas. These examples, posted in gray boxes, make it easy for the reader to connect reality with the conceptual text Anderson lays out.
I believe that the book is a particularly good fit in the Beyond War library. She well outlines all three guiding principles. Anderson mentions things such as “an intrinsic link exists between the means and ends” on page 12, a few pages later argues against the US vs. THEM mentality, and throughout the book emphasizes the misguidedness of conflicts. Furthermore, she reinforces the practices the Beyond War organization commits itself to. While aid agencies do not actually participate in fighting (or at least on the front lines) Anderson argues that even using armed guards to protect aid agencies interests have effects that may have dire consequences. She insists that aid agencies should not be alienating or isolate themselves from parts of the population, maintaining an attitude of goodwill towards parties involved in the conflict. Lastly, Anderson stresses the importance that aid agencies work together, with other aid agencies and not embroil themselves in their own conflicts, as the work to build an environment of peace and security.
Discussion questions:
1.What if anything did Anderson miss? Can her aid strategy be applied in greater context to war in general?
2.How does Anderson outline our guiding principle, “We are one on this planet?” Cite examples.
3.With the majority of aid coming from political interests, be it States or Religious institutions, how would you address the concern of bias, or perceived bias in the recipient community.
4.How does international law affect how aid can be effective, do you think that it has a place in a world beyond war? (You may want to use the International committee of the Red Cross as an example)
The book is very well written and is easy to follow and in part due to the overall length of the text, 147 pages, I feel that the general public audience would be able to read through it without any serious impediments to completion. The way the book is outlined is very clear, breaking the text into parts and chapters, each section with its own headline. During the first half of the book, about a quarter-to one-third is dedicated to examples in conflict areas. These examples, posted in gray boxes, make it easy for the reader to connect reality with the conceptual text Anderson lays out.
I believe that the book is a particularly good fit in the Beyond War library. She well outlines all three guiding principles. Anderson mentions things such as “an intrinsic link exists between the means and ends” on page 12, a few pages later argues against the US vs. THEM mentality, and throughout the book emphasizes the misguidedness of conflicts. Furthermore, she reinforces the practices the Beyond War organization commits itself to. While aid agencies do not actually participate in fighting (or at least on the front lines) Anderson argues that even using armed guards to protect aid agencies interests have effects that may have dire consequences. She insists that aid agencies should not be alienating or isolate themselves from parts of the population, maintaining an attitude of goodwill towards parties involved in the conflict. Lastly, Anderson stresses the importance that aid agencies work together, with other aid agencies and not embroil themselves in their own conflicts, as the work to build an environment of peace and security.
Discussion questions:
1.What if anything did Anderson miss? Can her aid strategy be applied in greater context to war in general?
2.How does Anderson outline our guiding principle, “We are one on this planet?” Cite examples.
3.With the majority of aid coming from political interests, be it States or Religious institutions, how would you address the concern of bias, or perceived bias in the recipient community.
4.How does international law affect how aid can be effective, do you think that it has a place in a world beyond war? (You may want to use the International committee of the Red Cross as an example)
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