Also, the following video isn't specifically about Africa, but about developing countries in general. I thought I would share it - it is an interesting way to look at the problems in these countries.
www.girleffect.org/#/splash/
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Aid Ban Lifted in Zimbabwe
The New York Times article is about a ban that has been recently lifted on aid groups in Zimbabwe. The ban was originally imposed because the government claimed that some groups were backing the opposition during the election. It is also believed that it was imposed to prevent aid workers from going to rural areas and witnessing the worst state-sponsored violence against the opposition. Twenty metric tons of food donated from the United States was meant for schoolchildren, orphans, and elderly, but it ended up being handed out at a ruling political party rally. Even though the ban was lifted, it is still having horrible effects. What other alternatives are there to get food to these people? Do you think there is anything that other countries that donate food can do to help? Economists blame the government's policies. How can the government be prevented from imposing these bans?
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Sorry- the article didn't link right. Here it is!
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/30/world/africa/30zimbabwe.html?_r=1&ref=africa&oref=slogin
Wow, that makes me sick to my stomach that The United States' food aid went to feed a party. Clearly there is some corruption going on here. There needs to be a better system set in place to reduce the opportunity for the aid to go into the wrong hands. I am very skeptical about giving to organizations that provide aid for people in need. For example, the Red Cross takes out a precentage of whatever money people donate. It is just a shame that not 100% can't go to the people who really need it. In the case of the food, it went to people who did not need it and probably did not deserve it.
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