What the OXFAM 'Sex Scandal' Should Teach Us About NGO Imperialism
"According to a series of news reports, Oxfam UK's Haiti director hired prostitutes and organized orgies at a charity-run villa set up after the devastating 2010 earthquake. Some of the girls may have been as young as 14, and Oxfam representatives traded aid for sex.
Since the earthquake there have been innumerable stories of NGOs abusing their power or pillaging funds raised for Haitians. In an extreme case, the US Red Cross built only six houses with the $500 million they raised after the earthquake.
A Canadian International Development Agency report stated that by 2004, 'non-governmental actors (for profit and not-for-profit) provided almost 80 percent of [Haiti's] basic services.' Amongst other donor countries, the Canadian government channelled its 'development assistance' through NGOs to shape the country's politics.
As intended, funding NGOs weakened the Aristide/Rene Preval governments and strengthened the US, France and Canada's hand. The Oxfam 'sex scandal' should shine a light on the immense, largely unaccountable power NGOs continue to wield over Haitian affairs..."