The Crisis Caravan by Linda Polman Summary

The Crisis Caravan critiques the global humanitarian aid industry, arguing that well-intentioned efforts often fuel conflicts, enrich warlords, and perpetuate crises. Linda Polman uses case studies like the Rwandan genocide and Afghan aid looting to show how aid becomes a tool in warfare, urging readers to reconsider unchecked humanitarianism.

Policymakers, aid workers, journalists, and donors interested in the ethics of humanitarian intervention should read this book. It’s also valuable for students of international relations seeking a critical perspective on how aid can inadvertently harm the communities it aims to help.

Yes—Polman’s investigative rigor and stark examples, like 35-40% of Afghan aid being looted, challenge romanticized notions of charity. The book’s unflinching critique sparks essential debates about accountability in humanitarian efforts.

Polman highlights how aid agencies prioritize funding over impact, often cooperating with corrupt regimes or militants to access crisis zones. For example, Hutu militias in Rwanda diverted aid meant for genocide victims, prolonging violence.

This quote from a rebel soldier encapsulates Polman’s argument: warlords exploit aid to sustain conflicts, knowing destruction attracts rebuilding funds. The acronym underscores how aid incentivizes violence rather than peace.

Like We Did Nothing and War Games, this book critiques international interventions. However, The Crisis Caravan focuses specifically on the systemic failures of the aid industry, with updated examples from Afghanistan and Sudan.

Polman advocates for stricter oversight, transparency, and willingness to withhold aid if it risks exacerbating conflicts. She emphasizes that “doing nothing” must remain an option when intervention causes more harm.

Polman critiques media outlets for sensationalizing disasters to drive donations, which pressures aid groups to operate in unsafe or corrupt regions. This “disaster porn” cycle prioritizes visibility over sustainable solutions.

Key examples include Hutu militias stealing aid in Rwanda, Afghan warlords siphoning World Bank funds, and Sierra Leonean rebels manipulating NGOs. These cases illustrate how aid becomes a weapon in prolonged conflicts.

With ongoing debates about aid in Ukraine, Gaza, and climate crises, Polman’s warnings about unintended consequences remain urgent. The book challenges readers to demand accountability from governments and NGOs.

While some NGOs acknowledge systemic flaws, others defend their work as “least bad” options in impossible situations. The Overseas Development Institute issued a rebuttal, though Polman’s work has influenced calls for reform.

“Aid organizations are businesses dressed up like Mother Teresa.” This line captures Polman’s view of the aid industry as a self-perpetuating system prioritizing survival over ethical outcomes.