Dubai: Different facets of the work of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) were the focus of a session on Thursday, the concluding day of the 12th edition of the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development (DIHAD) conference and exhibition.

Atta Al Manan Bakheet Al Haj, Adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Khartoum, Sudan, who has visited many refugee camps in countries such as Somalia, explained that his main concern was organisations using crisis situations to either enhance their image or manipulate the reality. In the theatre of conflict zones and troubled areas where NGOs work, the potential for private donor organisations to pursue their own agendas is a reality that cannot be ignored, he said.

“I was in Somalia once and an organisation announced that there has been a cholera breakout in the camps,” he said. “Being in the camp at the time, I knew that there was no such thing occuring. When I asked the organisation as to why they started the rumour, they explained that it was to attract international aid to increase donations in order to have enough money for future crises.”

Often times, the reality of the situation does not match what is being portrayed to the public, said Bakheet. Not only do some organisations manipulate reality, they even compete with one another to enhance their image rather than genuinely impact the lives of those displaced or in areas of conflict.

“The role of an NGO is to listen to the demands of those in crisis and meet their needs,” he said.

Micheal Talhami, ICRC Regional Water and Habitat Advisor Near and Middle East, spoke of expanding role of NGOs beyond their traditional roles and capacities. “The needs are increasing not only within the conflict areas but also over into the neighbouring countries,” said Talhami. “The needs have cut across all sectors, for instance health, water, economic security in terms of food, livelihoods…”

However, Talhami recognised that there is a shrinking in humanitarian space that has caused certain limitations for organisations trying to access an area of crisis.

“The shrinking of humanitarian space, not in terms of the number of actors that are there, but in terms of the ability and mobility of actors to have a sustained presence on the ground,” he said. “The lack of safe access either reduces the number of humanitarian actors directly involved on the ground.”

Similarly, Mario Stephan, Gulf Office Director of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in Dubai, said that though there is shrinkage in humanitarian space, organisations must come up with solutions to offer the aid necessary.

“I spent some time in Somalia and I think it would be naïve to think that as NGOs in an environment as Somalia, we had succeeded without working hand in hand with private sectors whether in terms of needs or in terms of negotiations,” said Stephan.

Speakers highlighted the growing role of NGOs in the region since it is no longer restricted to the areas of crisis and is needed in countries where people seek refuge. While some organisations seek crises as opportunities to shine, NGOs must stay focused on those in need and keenly portray the reality of the situation.

Maria Botros is a trainee at Gulf News.