Condemned to Repeat?: The Paradox of Humanitarian Action [Paperback]

Fiona Terry (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The director of research and former head of the French section of Medicins sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders), Terry has written a compelling book about the failure of international humanitarian organizations to take into consideration a wider political context before providing aid. This shortsightedness, argues Terry, results in the paradox that humanitarian aid aimed at alleviating suffering instead sustains the oppressive action that caused it. In clear and concise analysis, she begins with the controversial claim that the aid agencies respond in knee-jerk fashion to any conflict without further investigating or even considering the ramifications of their aid. In four documented cases, Afghan camps in Pakistan, Salvadoran and Nicaraguan camps in Honduras, Cambodian camps in Thailand, and Rwandan camps in Zaire Terry details how aid given to help people often ends up in the coffers of the combatants. Terry backs up her claim with photocopies of documents that will be of special interest to scholars of the 1996 Rwanda massacres. Recommended for all libraries. Glenn Masuchika, Rockwell Collins Information Ctr., Cedar Rapids, IA
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Cornell University Press (July 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080148796X
• ISBN-13: 978-0801487965
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #421,550 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Condemned to Repeat, November 3, 2007

By 

Ananda Liyanapathiranage "Shasthri" (Woodbury MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Condemned to Repeat?: The Paradox of Humanitarian Action (Paperback)

Fiona Terry provide a practical aspect of Humanitarian aid through her experince in the field. Humanitarian aid involves working with goverments and rebels sometimes it is hard to avoid workig with people who has blood in their hands to help the innocents or victims. Further she talks about the negative consequences of humanitarian intervention. Great book from an author who has hands on experience on Humanitrian aid.

22 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read- but the elites will not listen, July 12, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Condemned to Repeat?: The Paradox of Humanitarian Action (Paperback)

Excellent book- well documented. The author's arguments are furthered bolstered by other writers that have exposed the corrupt, hypocritical, self-serving "aid" industry and their cynical collaboration with the kleptocrats and dictators of the world's vampire states. These other authors include:
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Road to Hell: The Ravaging Effects of Foreign Aid and International Charity by Michael Maren
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Famine Crimes: Politics & the Disaster Relief Industry in Africa (African Issues) by Alex de Waal
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Africa in Chaos : A Comparative History by George B.N. Ayittey ---
A Bed for the Night: Humanitarianism in Crisis by David Rieff
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The data is clear, but self-serving elites will continue to prosper and gullible Western taxpayers will continue to vote them into power. They will both continue prop up the kleptocrats and dicators of the world.