Safety vs. Aid

Bullet Ridden Wall in Kitgum

Safety vs. Aid.  It's a hard balance.

The Global Fund recently scaled backs its efforts in the Ivory Coast as political violence escalates.

What would you do in that situation?  Would you continue to distribute malaria nets and vaccines if your life was in significant danger?

If you'd asked me about five years ago, I would have said yes.

About five years ago I headed off to the war-torn Kitgum in the north of Uganda.  Despite a ceasefire being called by the warring factions, Kitgum was still in the state of war.  It was (and is) a dangerous place and it was foolish to go.

(A positive that came out of the experience was the establishment of Grassroots Uganda, which has sent tens-of-thousands of dollars to the most needy in the North.)

Would I go now?  Would I head off to a war-torn region to help the less fortunate?

Probably not.

I am great believe in sacrificing your life for a cause.  The trick is to do it one day a time...

This may or may not become an issue in Romblon as mining companies move in.  Mining companies are always accompanied by the military in the Philippines...