Should we stop giving international aid?
By rosdimy
@rosdimy (3926)
Malaysia
September 5, 2011 4:42am CST
Should Malaysian organisations stop from giving international aid?
The latest mercy mission was to Somalia. It was not strictly a Government mission. Yet there were Malaysians who said among other things events occurring in other countries are none of our concern, and we should help our own people first.
The way I see it we are sharing the world, so that should be taken into consideration. As for the locals there are other mechanisms in place.
I noticed that those who are against any international aid mission did not help locals who were in need.
3 responses
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
5 Sep 11
Back home we have more distressing conditions that need urgent attention but these caregivers chose to solve other countries problems by rushing to their aids at the shortest notice. What gain do they get when their own people are in dilemmas yet no organizations are interested to come forward. What if an entourage of cameramen, media, reporters where there to accompany them to the remote villages in Malaysia to show the world their actions while distributing foods and medicines to the poor and malnourished Malaysians? It is not wrong to help other countries on humanitarian grounds but I think we should make our house in order first before helping those in need.
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
5 Sep 11
@patricia I am also on BP pills and am not working either. I don't understand why people suddenly become saviors when it comes to foreign missions while neglecting domestic problems. I guess they aren't genuine in helping but are only there because of wide coverage, local and international publicity. 
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
5 Sep 11
I do not think that the condition here are equivalent to or worse than certain countries. Otherwise there would not be more than 2 million foreign workers in the country.
As I understand it there are several avenues locals can choose from to obtain help. They include local NGOs, religious bodies or institutions, and the Welfare Department. We have to make the effort of asking.
Publicity is one aspect of the story. Today is their turn. What if tomorrow is our turn to face the same conditions?
Another aspect is gaining trust for future business dealings.
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
5 Sep 11
Oh I don't know that 'every actions have its reasons'. Maybe it is one way of putting Malaysia on the world map.
Not many people know the pathetic livelihood of people in my state. When the prime minister's wife was brought to visit the villages here, she was so shocked to see that they are still Malaysians living in poverty. 
@creationhub (3066)
• Malaysia
19 Sep 11
The whole world is full of disasters. Some of them whole year round, some are seasonal and some are one off.
It's true that even in Malaysia, we do have our fair share of disasters, etc. I put a neutral view on this although I used to feel that we should clean our own home first before looking at our neighbors, so to say.
Still, helping internationally is not all about money going out. There are always good relationships built as nations assist each other.
