E. Wayne Nafziger, professor of economics, says with the correct policies, the risk of humanitarian emergencies like the one in Kosovo can be reduced. It's much deeper than that because there are many economic and political factors that are root causes. During conflict, however, ethnic differences tend to become the focus. Nafziger said their presentation to the missions, delegations, press officers and the U.N. Secretariat focused on providing long-term preventions to humanitarian crises. The amount of aid given isn't important and does not necessarily reduce conflict.
Aid needs to be more predictable and reliable.
Nafziger said it is important for countries to focus on economic policies that support preventative development and promote peace and stability, and political policies that strengthen democratic governance and equal opportunity for all communities. Nafziger said most governmental leaders in developing countries are committed to economic progress and reducing conflict. In instances where warlords or heads of state benefit from supporting allies at the economic expense of other groups, it may be difficult. Rather than spending billions in aid after the fact, more should be put up-front to reduce situations that give rise to conflict. Nafziger was resident research director for the project on humanitarian emergencies from 1996-1998 at the United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research in Helsinki, Finland.