8.11A - Successes and Failures
The relationship of aid, development, health and human rights is unclear, with relative success stories in some states (Botswana, or Ebola in West Africa) contrasted with relative failure in other states (Haiti, Iraq)
Development aid and intervention have a very mixed record of success. In theory, intervention and aid promoted by Western countries should promote economic and social development, improve health and education, and increase human rights, however this is not always the case.
Ebola is a deadly virus present in Africa, which has periodic outbreaks and epidemics. It has a mortality rate of about 70% and it is both very hard to treat and to control its spread.
The HIV virus is a disease most often spread by sexual activity, which can develop into AIDS. AIDS can be treated, but this is costly and there isn't a cure. It is common in the countries of southern and East Africa.
Ebola Crisis (2013-16) in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia
- Epidemic that killed over 11,000 people
- Reduced GDP by 10-15% in the affected countries
- The World Health Organisation, the UK, the USA and France led the international response
After a slow initial response the epidemic was contained, but at a cost of over $4 billion.
Without international intervention Ebola could have spread in an uncontrolled way with even worse consequences.
Botswana (since independence in 1966)
- Africa's fastest growing and most democratic country
- 62% of its exports are diamonds
- Tourism contributes 12% of GDP
- It has received much foreign investment by TNCs in mining, tourism and finance
Democracy and lack of corruption have promoted foreign investment.
25% of the population are HIV positive, but for 20 years a sound education and health programme has attempted to control HIV/AIDS with some success.
Haiti
- USA invasion and occupation 1915-34
- 1957-86 Haiti was ruled by father and son dictators Francois and Jean-Claude Duvalier, tolerated by the USA
- US military intervention in 1994-5 to reinstate President Aristide
- 2004 onwards: UN intervention to stabilise Haiti's political situation
The poorest country in the western hemisphere has been badly governed and subject to foreign intervention for over 100 years. It was ill-prepared for the devastating 2010 earthquake and subsequent cholera epidemic.
Iraq
- 1990-91 invasion of southern Iraq by US-led forces after retaking Kuwait, which Iraq had invaded
- 2003 invasion by a US-led Western coalition to overthrow President Saddam Hussein ended in 2011
- Since 2014 there has been a civil war in Iraq
Military intervention freed Kuwait, and eventually removed the dictator Saddam Hussein. However, Iraq has since been a fragmented country divided by religious and ethnic conflict.