NGO Networks In Haiti Cause Problems For ISPs 108
angry tapir sends in an article from GoodGear Guide that begins: "While the communications networks that aid groups set up quickly following the earthquake in Haiti were surely critical to rescue efforts, the new networks have had some negative effects on the local ISP community. More than a month after the earthquake devastated the island nation, local ISPs are starting to grumble about being left out of business opportunities and about how some of the temporary equipment — using spectrum without proper authorization — is interfering with their own expensive networks, causing a degradation of their services."
Re:"stop killing our ham radio operators" (Score:1, Informative)
here [slashdot.org]
Re:Flawed system. (Score:3, Informative)
Indeed. SIDA, the Swedish government organization handling aid etc has operated like that since the 70's. Instead of directly bringing children's teachers, they train adults to become teachers. Sanitation engineers are sent out as tutors, taking on apprentices sort of, that sort of thing.
SIDA has repeatedly come under fire however, both domestically and internationally, for their approach, especially from religiously influenced charities, for their method of not donating stuff directly, main accusation being that it's "not compassionate enough".
There are some exceptions, such as in critical emergencies, but that's common sense really. Some other exceptions are where the Swedish military is involved. For example, in Sierra Leone, the small swedish contingent there had 2 containerized water purification plants, and helped purify water for the local medical facilities etc, helping to build local report.