Adventist Development and Relief Agency, New Zealand (ADRA) is quite concerned with the recent statements by Foreign Minister Murray McCully to look into re-absorbing NZAID back into MFAT.
Clinton Rappell, Executive Director of ADRA believes that a thorough review should take place with good representation from the development community prior to any decision being made.
ADRA NZ is a key partner with NZAID in delivering aid to many countries around the world with a focus on the Pacific Island nations and Asia. ADRA NZ maintains the view that our participants remain at the core of our focus, actions and decisions. As we receive grants entrusted to us by NZAID we work with our partners in the field to decide what the greatest needs are and how to use the money in the most effective way; thus creating opportunities, empowering people and sharing hope in their lives.
From our time spent with the people, connecting with them and working alongside them, we have witnessed amazing stories of changed lives, inspiring resilience and renewed hope. This drives us on as an organization to continue to deliver aid in an effective and sustainable way.
We believe that there are various interconnecting stages in community development such as basic education, economic development, primary healthcare, emergency management, food security etc. All of these components are necessary for an educated, healthy, active and economically sound community.
Good development practice requires good development professionals in New Zealand and on the ground. Diplomats and Foreign Affairs staff will not have the capacity and the skills to drive aid in the most effective way. There is also the risk that aid will be driven by foreign policy objectives.
ADRA NZ supports the current structure and feels strongly that the review to establish the semi autonomous structure by OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) is functioning well as there was a thorough consultation.
For more information on the campaign to keep New Zealand’s international aid focussed on addressing poverty go to the Don’t Corrupt Aid website