intangible aids

            In the interview with James Shikwati he “says that aid to Africa does more harm than good.” Even though this may be true for some part of the aids provided to the poor countries, I disagree with his statement. I think that if aids are given in a proper manner, it can help poor countries. What have allowed aids to do harms to poor countries are inadequate research on what is needed and the intention to develop its own country through giving aids. As Shikwati says, providing with foods and clothes that are made in those countries that are providing these items do not help the poor countries to become independent and be self-sustainable because it makes poor countries to be more dependent and not grow its own economy. These kinds of tangible aids are more of a short-term solution that can be helpful for situations such as in unexpected natural disasters. However, when it comes to long-term aids in order to create a system that will allow poor countries to become independent, what is needed are intangible aids that will help establish good policies and an economic system. Since tangible aids have been provided to the poor countries by developed countries for a long time, if the aids are stopped completely all the sudden, the government of poor countries will not know how to become independent on their own. Therefore, countries giving aids should gradually decrease the tangible aids and increase the intangible aids to help the government change their system. Giving those kinds of aids does not mean invading the countries, ignoring their cultures and beliefs, but helping analyze what is not working and what kind of options they have to become more successful. When in negative spiral of being a poor country it is difficult to find the solution, and this is where developed countries can help with their experiences of becoming developed countries, knowing what have worked and what have not worked in past.