Why the world should acknowledge failures and treat causes of human suffering

 By Simon Mone

Some European Union countries tried to erect perimeter fences along their borders. It has not been efficient. Their objective of quelling ‘illegal' entry did not achieve much. Then they went ahead and introduced razor wires and barbed wires but this also did not work. So they thought that physical barriers alone were not enough. So they upgraded their restriction measures by recruiting and deploying border hunters.

These guys patrol the length of EU borders. And offer support to police, who already are working around the clock to intercept illegal immigrants. While the number of migrant deportation continues to increase, an even bigger number has kept on streaming into Europe through the porous borders. What a waste of time! And indeed, what a waste of money it was! Now, we hope they see that a workable solution has not yet been arrived at.

These fellows should start to spend the money better. At the end of this week (on August 19^th), we commemorate World Humanitarian Day. We have the chance of paying very close attention to the current humanitarian challenges. And this must include re-structuring the current methods of aid delivery.

We also must step on the brake pedal to take inventory of the ‘who', the ‘how' and the ‘when' of better actions to take, in a manner that addresses the root causes of all these humanitarian crises around the world. Anything far from this will amount to the world running along a circular track repeatedly without an end.

The world will have thrown away the essence and meaning of this idea of humanitarian and emergency aid. Crises apparently are tearing apart almost every corner of the world. Today, you can count the number of countries caught up in specific humanitarian difficulties and get lost counting. Every country is deeply involved, either actively or passively.

In this light therefore, you are called upon, to meditate on whether we should continue with this approach to solving humanitarian challenges. Of what meaning has it got, if people fleeing from genuine hardships are left to rue displacements? Therefore, at the top of our agenda, we ought to include measures that remove the causes of displacements and conflict.

In that way, we avoid an endless cycle of emergencies. It is not a secret anymore, that these conflicts have their roots in social inequality. So we continually ask some basic questions; including why it has become extremely difficult that there is no social injustice for people and resources are not being seen to be equally shared? The world's neediest people continuously crave for humanitarian aid.

One quick-fix is to implement and enhance policies that aim at ensuring equality. And also, fully empowers civil society so they are able to offer sustainable aid. Also as an important step for avoiding conflicts, emphasis of World Humanitarian Days should be to reach out to conflict causers and try to seek their input into what actions might help to stop the unrests. And try to implement the solutions that we collect. So we now know that constructing physical barriers to stop migrants is like building the tower of Babylon.

They don't work. Use the money to improve shelter for migrants who manage to beat the odds and reach Europe. Refrain from attacking and detaining migrants in inhumane conditions. There are no more questions to ask, of countries that have a duty to protect and assist needy population. Someone who sells off every household item and walk away to seek solace is a brave one. Such an act must be honoured.

The writer is a civil engineer