another impending famine in Africa ?

[anneasquith]

via bbc news < another impending famine in Africa, are the british people less generous, or more sceptical when donating to these dreadful disasters ?

[DTCwordfan]

I am pleased to hear that - as it is easy enough for many folk back here to point fingers in matters like this....

"the holy righteous who have never been out there" syndrome......as I am sure you have come across them, Carmalee.

Somalia wasn't exactly a bed of roses when I visited Mogadishu back in 86/87, along with a few other countries like Burundi and Uganda.

[DTCwordfan]

And my point is that many of the critics on here, about our aid to African nations in these constrained times, are speaking out of their rear-ends when it comes to appreciating half of what it is like out in many parts of East Africa, particularly the Horn of Africa.......

As one of the top ten wealthiest nations, whatever our problems, we have an obligation to support them. We are not talking several millions to have significant impact on the ground. And the trick is to ensure that our aid hits the frontline, not some fancy marble presidential palace.

[rov1100]

Why do the British people have to pay three (yes three) times for solving all the third world problems? Just in case for those unaware:

1. British government contribution
2. The EU contribution which we pay towards
3. Private donations.

No wonder we are so broke ourselves!

[emmie]

we may be one of the wealthiest, and i would dispute that, but has all the billions given in aid over the years, not just by Britain, made a great deal of difference. Not suggesting we don't help, but does that go on and on, until when, and the people are still dying.

[Seadragon]

I highly recommend watching the documentary 'Black Gold' before anyone starts posting comments on these matters.

In Africa the saying goes - 'It is trade, not aid.'


And there is the other fantastic documentary about Jamica and how the West has screwed it into a third world country dependant on aid. I can't recall the title now, will post when I do.

[Seadragon]

'Life and debt' brilliant and a must watch. About how the West screws Countries into relaying upon aid, supplied by them as trade.

[emmie]

so they don't have a say in how their country is run then?