Role of Faith-based Organizations in Improving the Aid Effectiveness in Helping Countries in Sub-Saharan African

The challenges of reaching the MDGs for health in Africa are well-know. Countries are not on track for achieving these goals in the near future. New approaches are needed. This presentation will take the position that channeling more aid through faith-based organizations engaged in health services is one new approach that can accelerate progress in achieving the MDGs for health. There are four reasons why this approach makes sense. First of all, faith-based organizations are already major players in the provision of health services. Aid has been focused on governments and national and international NGOs as recipients. In order to structure aid so that it can be provided to faith-based organizations, aid organizations have to reach out and begin to engage faith-based organizations in dialogue in order to create processes that will serve the needs of each. Secondly, faith-based organizations and their employees are motivated by values of service and compassion, and these values are fundamental to building strong health systems. Thirdly, faith-based organizations are sustainable. They have been created and are sustained with long-term financial support, and their staffs have a long-term view which is fundamental for health system development and for effective health programs. Finally, faith-based organizations have strong links to communities and to the grassroots. Increasingly, it is becoming recognized that in order for health programs to reduce child mortality, to reduce fertility, to and to control HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, strong grassroots efforts down to the household level are essential. Faith-based organizations are often linked to local congregations that are embedded in local communities. Aid organizations are now beginning to engage faith-based organizations in the quest to reach the MDGs in health, but much needs to be done, and much more can be done.