The Reality

African countries are already helping themselves to grow and learning both from local organisations and people, and also from the outside world. However, some African countries are in far greater need than other in the much publicised issues of

• Poverty
• Disease
• Conflict
• Illiteracy
• Lack of opportunity to develop

The Understanding

Aid is given often based of the trustworthiness of each country's government. Ironically, this means that those countries without stable governments are neglected, when it is their people that are in most need of aid. Too often, excuses are made for not giving aid, with unrealistic prerequisites set for each country to qualify for aid. The outcomes are all too clear

• criticism that "tied aid" amounts are not "real"
• aid which "disappears
• no lasting impact
• the problems continue

Recent donations to the Tsunami victim countries demonstrated two points:

• Financial aid and other support is needed to address immediate needs to assist in rescue, to avoid disease and starvation, and for longer term planning for regeneration.
• Some countries in need have the capability to manage incoming aid ~ to prioritise and allocate resources where and when needed.

The Need for Change

Let us learn from the recent experience in South Asia. Let us see the need for a different attitude and approach to supporting countries in need

It is important also for us to recognise the differences between the African countries ~ for us to work with those already "on the ground" providing support.

HEART's aim is to harmonise these supports and maximise our effort by delivering exemplary services together. This will minimise losses through duplication of resources allowing the recipient of the aid to benefit for this efficient way of working together.

If we are to assist in building the capacity in poor countries to enable them to help themselves, we must begin to allow them to play a part in managing their own development to learn, and to plan and own their regeneration programmes.