The Effects of Humanitarian Aid on the Advancement of Livelihood under Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Abstract

Humanitarian aid continues to be under close scrutiny as the international community analyzes its effects on the receiving populations in the developing world. Although aid should not be stopped completely, there are areas that can be improved. In theory, aid should increase economic capabilities as it sustains populations and advances their quality of life. On the systematic level, data supports that there are more efficient ways to allocate aid to benefit recipient states rather than donor states. The allocation of aid is partly determined by individual political interests of donor nations and the promotion of their foreign policies. Logistics and the dispersal of aid in the receiving country can be highly politicized when the government oversees the process. Human rights are often forgotten in the allocation of aid on the ground as each country and situation is not considered under its unique circumstances. The current United States administration has not positively impacted the current crises in Venezuela as their history of foreign policy is being repeated. The following sections will seek to answer the question of: Does humanitarian aid in Latin America advance an adequate standard of living under Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?