Direction: Despite promises of aid, the actual record of international aid to post-war reconstruction is deficient. Once the war ends, agencies involved in post-war relief efforts fail to understand how to start or restart economic development in a low income setting. They squander time, surplus aid funds and opportunities because they are not familiar with local conditions and don't understand their needs and viewpoints. There are distinct phases of outside help to end a conflict. In the first phase, focus is one providing instant food, water, shelter, medicine to refugees, this is the humanitarian. In the second phase emphasis is on the refugees' returning home while in the last phase long-term investments and strengthening of courts is the main focus.