From Gaza to the Democratic Republic of Congo the United States fails to properly fulfill its role as a humanitarian. As the leader of the free world America is endowed with responsibility. Yet too often political agendas modify the effects of American humanitarian aid which in turn modifies the very essence of humanitarianism.
Recently this was clearly exemplified by developments in the conflict in Gaza. Egypt a far less advanced nation than the United States provided the means of mediation that America should have provided resulting in a cease-fire announced Jan. 17 2009.
Instead of mediating the political strain in Gaza the United States decided to take Israel’s side in the campaign against Hamas terrorism under the Bush administration prolonging the crisis. Though it is understandable for the United States to support a campaign against terrorism both the Israelis and Hamas have succumbed to inhumane violent tactics resulting in thousands of injuries or deaths of innocent Israelis and Palestinians in Gaza since the start of the conflict in 2005.
The United States should have acted as a mediator despite its political bias on the behalf of the innocent lives at risk.
The United States in most third world scuffles should transcend partisanships in order to promote human welfare. Sending money and supplies to the thousands of displaced and injured citizens does not solve a crisis – mature well-planned actions reap solutions. America’s allegiance to the human race should take precedence over political ties in order to engage in true humanitarianism.
In addition to the Gaza crisis another example of America’s failure to provide acceptable humanitarian aid is its policy on funding abortion in foreign countries. In the last few decades America has ping-ponged between allowing and disallowing American family-planning funds to be granted to international organizations offering abortions. Though 44 percent of Americans are pro-life as of May 2008 according to an ongoing Gallup Poll this political belief should not encompass foreign policy. In America there are plenty of decent orphanages and reliable adoption agencies as alternatives; citizens in third world countries are not so fortunate.
Discouraging abortion in a country like Uganda where children are born only to die due to starvation neglect or viruses such as AIDS is not a humanitarian answer. Instead America should focus on encouraging sex education on birth control and help establish good orphanages or other alternatives before allowing political motives to deter abortion.
The United States is responding poorly as humanitarians to strife in the Democratic Republic of Congo as well. The International Rescue Committee estimates 5.4 million people have died in the past 15 years from disease malnutrition and warfare resulting from the war in Congo according to the Feb. 92009 Time article “Congo Seeks Protection.” This makes Congo one of the most dangerous places on earth and a primary target for humanitarian aid yet it has received little help in resolving the conflict.
Instead of simply sending money and supplies the United States needs to organize and implement an effective coalition by recruiting the help of humanitarian nations worldwide and together find a means to stabilize the region until the Congo government can peacefully sustain itself. Innocent citizens have suffered for too long suffering that could have been alleviated if the international community chose to act effectively.
America has the power and influence to organize widespread humanitarian campaigns if only it chose to act selflessly without political convictions and in the best interests of those suffering worldwide.
Not only does unfiltered humanitarianism lack in American politics it is a characteristic at the individual level as well. Individuals often contribute monetarily to non-profit organizations such as Habitat for Humanity Save the Children and Compassion International yet it is much more rare for an individual to be active in humanitarian organizations.
Many organizations at Pepperdine are also devoted to humanitarian missions: Project Exodus International Justice Mission Jumpstart and Lifebread are a few examples. In the midst of a busy day it is simple to bypass a flier for IJM or disregard mail that warns to “Keep Ignoring Burma but these organizations are committed to active humanitarianism that deserves attention.
The need for humanitarians is in high demand around the world. As citizens of an advantaged nation and advantaged individuals, Americans have the responsibility to help those who cannot help themselves in order to improve universal welfare.
It is easy to lose track of those suffering while living in a world full of BMWs and iPhones. America, as a nation and as individuals, needs to remember its responsibility as a humanitarian.
The world is calling out for help and America could impact thousands, if not millions, of people if it could only put aside its rose-colored Dior glasses long enough to see clearly.