Discussion centers on aid to refugees

Amid student demonstrations for and against U.S. action in Kosovo, the University's Program in Society and Medicine held a roundtable yesterday with both medical and non-medical doctors to provide analysis of the refugee situation and suggestions for action for humanitarian aid.

Associate Director for Human Rights in the Program in Society and Medicine Jeffrey Sonis moderated the discussion and said there has been a change in the nature of humanitarian relief due to a change in warfare.

There is a naive belief, he said, that humanitarian relief will go by the wayside.

The panelists agreed that problems arising in humanitarian relief efforts usually result from improper assessments of people's needs.

"It is pertinent for the organizations to meet the needs of the people while preventing the masses from de-stabilizing the country they're going to," said Michele Heisler, a former program officer for the Ford Foundation and Catholic Relief Services.

Lack of coordination among the organizations is also a problem in the effort to provide effective relief.

"Coordination exists extensively on paper, but fictitiously on the ground," said Barry Stein, a Michigan State University professor who teaches a class on refugees, displaced persons and exile.

But they emphasized that the larger relief organizations have done needs assessments and have networked with each other and the United Nations, in past situations.

"The Médicin Sans Frontieres has 85 ex-patriots sent to Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro, managing relief camps, water supplies and providing medical and mental health," said David Kent, a University physician who went to Bosnia in 1994 with the MSF.

Stein advised that students who want to take an active role

should start by writing letters.

"Tell your congressman, senator, president, what you think," he said.

Those who want to take a more active role should do a needs assessment of their own, Heisler said, adding that contributing to groups helping refugees should also be examined.

"It is better to send a check to an organization and tell them what you want it to do rather than a stack blankets. Sending a bulk of items will create extra transportation costs," Heisler said.

Stein stressed the fact that individuals should not be concerned with immediate action, saying reading about the situation and gaining knowledge are equally as important.

"Don't necessarily feel that you have to do anything right now. Heightening awareness for the future may be the most useful thing you can do," Stein said.

04-15-99