UN: Some US Aid Prioritizes Political Goals Over Humanitarian Ones

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Report: U.S. Uses Aid to Promote Non-Humanitarian Goals
Survey Respondents Say Military Objectives Prioritized Over Humanitarian Ones

By Colum Lynch
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 19, 2008; 2:04 PM


UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 19--The United States, the world's largest international aid donor, is among the worst at promoting the independence, impartiality and neutrality of humanitarian aid deliveries to needy populations, according to a survey by a Madrid-based nonprofit group that monitors donors' performance.

The Development Assistance Research Associates (DARA) Humanitarian Response Index 2008 measures how effectively the world's 23 largest donors deliver aid. The United States ranked 15th in overall effectiveness and only 13th in the level of generosity measured by the size of its economy.

But it ranked near the bottom, 22nd, when it came to adherence to principles and guidelines established by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to ensure that political considerations don't exclude worthy recipients of aid.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/19/AR2008111902390.html?hpid%3Dmoreheadlines&sub=AR