Hiding true motives of aid (the case of vaccines)

• 25020161
• Nov 24, 2023
• 1 min read

Militarisation of aid is huge problem in education and health. When military forces are involved, there’s a risk that aid efforts could be seen as biased or serving political or strategic interests.

Take, for example, the polio vaccine case in Pakistan. The CIA held a fake vaccination program in a town in Pakistan where it believed Osama bin Laden was hiding. The purpose was to get the DNA. The doctor who was hired for this purpose was also Pakistani. The deception then comes in when you show you are administering vaccines for the betterment of life and everyone will have a positive image of you, however, your true motives are hidden.

When aid is not neutral, it becomes compromised. Humanitarian aid is guided by principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence. When military forces get involved, these principles might be compromised, impacting the effectiveness and legitimacy of the aid operation.

Maintaining the distinction between military and humanitarian activities is crucial for preserving the integrity and efficacy of aid efforts.