Token humanitarian intervention

Government exploitation of humanitarianism
Alibi relief
Palliative compassion
Surrogate aid

Nature

Humanitarian aid which deals with symptoms and not causes, and at the same time declares itself sufficient.

Incidence

Food appeals for starving people on television serve to drain the giving capacity of people into acute relief without channelling funds to long-term remedial assistance. The lives that are "saved" may be lost in the next famine. The emergency helicopter "rescue" by the UK of a single child injured by shrapnel in the Bosnian war is a symbolic surrogate. No expense is spared and her operation and recovery are headline news, temporarily displacing the pervading cynicism, anger and hopelessness surrounding the "peace negotiations" and the cumulative misery associated with the war.

Claim

The satisfaction that comes from giving money or personal assistance to others in need is questionable. Very often the act is one of short-term selfish gain if it conveniently allows the fundamental injustices, such as indulgent lifestyles or ethnic cleansing, to proceed.

Humanitarianism is being exploited by government, in situations like Bosnia, as a cover for their political failures or indolence. Bosnia is a demonstration of the abusive use of humanitarianism.

There has never been a clear definition of what humanitarian intervention implies, and why, if it is desirable, it does not include addressing causes as well as the distress itself. Which is the more urgent, important need?