Aid Policies Driven by Television Sensationalism, Says ICRC Head

The aid policies of Western governments are increasingly dictated by the priorities of television, according to Cornelio Sammarunga, the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross. He argues that conflicts, such as those in Afghanistan, Angola, and East Timor, receive less attention and funding from Western donors because they do not generate compelling television images. Sammarunga also criticizes organizations like CNN, claiming that they often prioritize sensationalism over the needs of victims.

Key Takeaways:

• Western governments' aid policies are influenced by television priorities, with conflicts receiving more attention and funding if they generate compelling images.
• Conflicts in Afghanistan, Angola, and East Timor receive relatively little attention and funding from Western donors because they do not produce dramatic television footage.
• The head of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Cornelio Sammarunga, criticizes organizations like CNN for prioritizing sensationalism over the needs of victims.
• Humanitarian aid for victims of war in Colombia, Sri Lanka, Angola, Liberia, the Caucasus, and Peru is at perilously low levels, with some conflicts perceived as "unfashionable" by donors.
• The Red Cross advocates for a strict division between military intervention and humanitarian aid, citing the increasing blur between these two activities as a major concern.
• Specific examples of militarized aid processes include Operation Restore Hope in Somalia and France's Operation Turquoise in Rwanda, which the Red Cross sees as unacceptable.

Statistics:

• The Red Cross estimates that humanitarian aid for victims of war in Colombia, Sri Lanka, Angola, Liberia, the Caucasus, and Peru is at perilously low levels.
• The ICRC does not provide specific numbers, but notes that these conflicts are often overlooked by Western donors because they do not produce dramatic television images.
• The Red Cross advocates for a overhaul of the international aid system, with a strict division between military intervention and humanitarian aid.

Sources:

• The Guardian
• International Committee of the Red Cross
• Cable News Network (CNN)