A Cautionary Note: Do No Harm

Providing assistance can sometimes do more harm than good. Monetary assistance can be used to buy weapons; even humanitarian assistance can be used by one side to fuel the conflict, rather than mitigate its negative effects. Mary Anderson's book Do No Harm and the associated website highlights the pitfalls aid providers can fall into, and gives suggestions about ways these traps can be avoided to make sure aid is really helpful, not harmful to the recipients.

The group of essays on Development and Conflict also explain how development aid often contributes to conflict, rather than helping to prevent it. They don't argue against aid, but explain how aid providers should look carefully at what they are providing to whom, in what way, and what the short and long-term effects of this aid are on the recipients themselves and the larger society.

For More Information

• A Cautionary Note: Do No Harm
• Provider Checklist of Things to Think About
• Additional Resources for Providers
• Third Sider Roles
• Main Third Side Edition Page