The Effects of War and Peace on Foreign Aid, Term Paper Example

Abstract

Sudan is a country that relies heavily on the financial aid of other countries.  The support of other countries enables Sudan to provide a sustainable existence.  The impact of war and the long reaching effects of the aftermath and instability create dichotomy between those investing in the future of the country and those investing in the sustainment of those inhabiting the stricken areas.  Sudan has extreme beliefs and in turn has a troubled relationship with its neighbors as well as many other international relationships.  The internal conflict and significant support from various countries around the globe create a mix of support and concerning purposes of those investor countries.  The peace time efforts as well as the impacts of war within Sudan cause concern for financial aid and its proper utilization within the country.

Sudan’s Current State

Foreign aid projects are designed to take an area that is not fulfilling its economic, cultural or international trade potential.  There are two basic tenants or philosophies behind foreign financial aid. The first is the focus on eliminating a problem that is plaguing the citizens in a certain area (Weeks, 2007).  The problems that could be mitigated by a solution implemented through restructured or reorganized land use are overcrowding, lack of resources for the population or unsustainable actions occurring to the micro economic environment as well as the global economic environment.  The second purpose for financial aid by foreign countries is to establish a basic interest as a strategic location or investment in resources.

Sudan is located on the edge of Africa across from the area of the Middle East. While the location of Sudan could be used strategically for military purposes there are other issues that generate a need for financial aid throughout the country. The strife of the country is not limited to the lack of resources, extreme climate or internal corruption but it is also exacerbated by the two civil wars, the separation of South Sudan in 2011and the war in Darfur (Copnall, 2013).  These hostilities divert necessary aid by foreign nations by either pulling resources to the war or by eliminating the potential of aid due to the increased violence and corruption within the country.  Not only is the country fighting the corruption of those within its own borders, there is also a fight against slavery and ethnic cleansing that is running throughout the nation (Booker, and Colgan, 2004).  The human rights violations are continuing to occur daily and on the same token there is a significant need to feed the citizens.  This struggle between feeding the hungry, freeing those from servitude, ending the wars in Darfur and across the nation as well as pushing the corruption out of the ranks of the country all create a significant need for foreign aid as well as potentially even more significant barriers for obtaining the foreign aid.  There is an increasing hunger situation in Sudan and foreign aid is thwarted by the high levels of conflict in the country.

Sudan’s Peace

Throughout history, humans have the tendency to provide aid to people or in this case a country that is trying to improve the quality of life of its citizens.  Sudan’s struggle to maintain its cultural and spiritual foundation, even though their beliefs are disparate from those that are providing aid, have put themselves in a predicament that impacts both internal and external forces.  The basic needs of the country falls into the bare necessities of life, food, shelter, clean water and a safe environment to grow.  Those countries that are looking to invest in the future of Sudan are leveraging the ability for the country to take that aid and establish a peaceful baseline for their citizens’ to grow.  Sudan was once the largest country in Africa as well as the largest country in the Arab world but internal conflict cause a disruption and succession of South Sudan (BBC News, 2013).  While Sudan has made strides to include themselves in the global environment, including becoming a member of the United Nations, they have yet to regain control of the many factions that are causing havoc on their homeland.  The challenges of corruption, conflict and ethical strife are tough obstacles to overcome but many foreign relief organizations are funneling in funds to support those efforts.  With every step toward peace and stabilization there are more countries willing to support Sudan and their well-being.  The extension of foreign aid is not being maximized to its full potential due to the conflict within the country as well as the conflict on how the resources are being utilized.  With a country consistently fighting wars, struggling with human rights and not providing the type of infrastructure and environment for its citizens to survive, the resources are being underutilized and potentially misappropriated.

Sudan’s War

Sudan is fighting the war in Darfur, a human rights war, the war against hunger as well as a war against internal corruption across the ranks of the country.  The stressor the country faces without extraneous war efforts is enough to warrant foreign aid.  The war efforts internally are limiting the amount of foreign aid that is entering the country based on the fact that the aid has a high likelihood of misappropriation and underutilization (Jones-Mwangi, 2013).  With the aid that is coming in, there could be distinct motives to why the country is funding the Sudanese efforts.  A significant reason for financial aid revolves around hedging a long-term strategic bet on Sudan and its ability to provide resources, locations or other benefits to the supporting nations.

The extension of foreign aid is not necessarily helping reduce poverty, hunger or providing the means for the country to develop their people internally.  The funds are used by the return on investment is not providing the traction the foreign aid providers are looking for.  The war torn country is not a great investment in the future and is not obtaining the relief the relief aid is supposed to provide.  The warring factions, internal conflict, ethnic strife and under-developed citizens have the entire country deteriorating even with the funding flowing through the foreign aid channels.

References

BBC News. (2013). Sudan profile. Retrieved from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14095300

Booker, S., and Colgan, A., (2004). Genocide in darfur. Retrieved from: http://www.thenation.com/article/genocide-darfur#

Copnall, James., (2013). Darfur conflict: sudan’s bloody stalemate. Retrieved from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22336600

Jones-Mwangi, Sophia., (2013). Race against time to aid new Darfur refugees in chad before rains begin. Retrieved from: http://www.rescue.org/press-releases/race-against-time-aid-new-darfur-refugees-chad-rains-begin-15843?ms=gg_nonb_chd_sudn_Nk_130523&gclid=CJjY2NCgtrwCFY1AMgodYzgA5g

Weeks, B., (2007). Urban renewal: a flawed idea that failed 50 years ago. Retrieved from http://wichitaliberty.org/free-markets/urban-renewal-a-flawed-idea-that-failed-50-years-ago/.