PRESS & POLITICIANS

In areas of combat, the media often tends to focus on “body counts”. Positive accomplishments by charities, NGOs, and others are thus overlooked --- so the public develops a distorted view of events in the nation being assisted. Public opinion then acts to help convince politicians to reduce support for efforts in the nation where conflict is occurring. The net result is a premature end to U.S. efforts, or dramatically reduced assistance levels. The impact on volunteers is to make their combat area work far more difficult as overall funding is gradually, or quickly reduced. Charities and NGOs must plan for “shrinking” capabilities where combat occurs.