Use of consultants in aid

[Michael Keizer]

There is a fascinating discussion about the use of consultants in aid going on in LinkedIn's Humanitarian Professionals group. Sadly this is still one of the few closed groups, but it is worthwhile to become a member just to read this discussion.

In short: the question is whether consultants are a legitimate way to access specialist knowledge or that they are just a way for organisations to deflect risk and/or for consultants to enrich themselves.

What do people here think about this? I know Dr. Kurtz would have a clear opinion, but his might not be the only one...