Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


10

Famine Fear Returns to Ethiopia

Share

(Newser) – Almost 25 years after Live Aid aimed to eradicate famine in Ethiopia, the country is facing new threats of malnutrition and mass starvation, the Independent reports. Ethiopia's erratic rains are the main culprit, failing to fall or coming too little too late, while recession-minded donors in wealthy nations are also getting stingy. But "this is exactly the time when we shouldn't turn away from the people in need," a British official says.

The Ethiopian government, which insists on distributing most food aid itself, has successfully boosted food production and relocated 2.2 million farmers to more fertile land. But rain and wealthy donors are beyond its control—as is global warming, which many Africans blame for weird weather patterns. "Although Africa is least responsible for global warming, it suffers most from a problem it didn't create,” the chair of the African Union says.

A man and his child pass the carcass of a cow in the Denan region, Ethiopia, which has been hit by a severe drought, in this Jan. 16, 2006 file picture.
A man and his child pass the carcass of a cow in the Denan region, Ethiopia, which has been hit by a severe drought, in this Jan. 16, 2006 file picture.   (AP Photo/Anthony Mitchell, File)
Ethiopian child Bizunesh Hidana, a 3-year-old weighing less than 10 pounds is seen at an emergency feeding center in southern Ethiopia, Friday May 9, 2008.
Ethiopian child Bizunesh Hidana, a 3-year-old weighing less than 10 pounds is seen at an emergency feeding center in southern Ethiopia, Friday May 9, 2008.   (AP Photo/Anita Powell)
In this June 6, 2008 file photo, six year old malnourished Tariken Lakamu waits for food aid in the southern Ethiopian town of Shashamane.
In this June 6, 2008 file photo, six year old malnourished Tariken Lakamu waits for food aid in the southern Ethiopian town of Shashamane.   (AP Photo/Anita Powell, File)
In this June 5, 2008 file photo, seven year old malnourished Teybo Negussie is watched over by her mother after she was admitted to a treatment center in the southern Ethiopian town of Shashamane.
In this June 5, 2008 file photo, seven year old malnourished Teybo Negussie is watched over by her mother after she was admitted to a treatment center in the southern Ethiopian town of Shashamane.   (AP Photo/Anita Powell, File)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.20.09
The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun
11.19.09
Sarah Palin Deserves Some More Attention
10 comments
VIEWING:
 
Jojo
Aug 30, 09 4:47 PM CDT
Wow, 25 years after they faced starvation... they are once again in the same situation. I'm sorry, but I cannot feel sorry for people that continue to breed like they were getting paid for it, when unable to even feed themselves. I understand it's not politically correct to feel that way, and that it's insensitive. I don't care. It's the truth. If you cannot feed yourself, STOP BREEDING. Africa is the only place on Earth that has had civilizations for thousands and thousands of years and still cannot manage to survive without other people paying them. Enough. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
-5
IN RESPONSE:
Robert_Dada
Aug 30, 09 8:07 PM CDT
You have no access to anything that will get you out of poverty and you have no future whatsoever. On top of that, you have no access to viable birth control because the Catholic Church has done everything in its power to thwart birth control efforts. Quit being such an insufferable ass and realize these people have no hope and future and are stuck in their plight because us westerners give them no real means to help themselves.
Vote up! Vote down!
+3
IN RESPONSE:
marinus
Aug 30, 09 9:43 PM CDT
Hey Jojo; According to your observation, I hope that you and everyone else in this world will stop breeding, then all our problems will magically disapear. We do have a moral obligation to assist in any way we possibly can to alleviate the effects of famine, and nature's unpredictable way in which some countries are burdenend with more hardship than others. Hey I don't want to discredit you since we are all entitled to our opinions. But looking at the whole picture I can't help but think that we as cacausions are somewhat to blame for the problems. When we sprout our superiority over all other races. Our way of thinking clouds our mental judgements. In a nut shell we are no better than anyone else. I think that to minimize the problems in this world should start with ourself by being more considerate of others. In other words put other's interest before you own. Then this world would become a better place to live.
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
IN RESPONSE:
jagerhans
Aug 31, 09 4:59 AM CDT
cartman in guatemala slums: «what the heck people! do something! go to college!» no that ain't no fucking truth. it's just the fat that is starting to rot your brains, eric.
Vote up! Vote down!
0
jenna
Aug 30, 09 6:09 PM CDT
Jojo, I understand what you are saying. But, I cannot sit and tell dying children that I will not help because their parents are ignorant ases. Maybe we should demand birth control in trade for food, medicine, etc. Education of the young is key. AIDS is also a concern. A mother is a mother. If she wants help to save her child then she will take the aid and conditions. I'm not all that reliable when it comes to birth control pills so I chose to have a 10 year IUD put in. I know that it is costly but, babies are worth sooo much more. Sorry if I offended anyone. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+2

View all 10 comments »

LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

239 Stories

 Climate Skeptics: 
 Hacked Emails 
 Prove We're Right 

Scientist talks about adding a 'trick' to graph

Nov 21, 09 10:37 AM CST
(Newser) - Hackers have gotten their hands on a trove of emails from leading climate scientists, and global warming skeptics are rejoicing. They say the emails prove the crisis is overblown and are crowing about one in particular, from 1999, in which a scientist plans to add a "trick" to a... More »

MORE ABOUT:
climate change • global warming • email • scientists • skeptics • hacking

 Globe on Course for 'Worst-Case' Temp Hike

6 degree rise predicted if Copenhagen deal fails

Nov 18, 09 4:08 AM CST
(Newser) - The worst-case scenario for climate change is getting closer to becoming reality, a group of climate scientists warned yesterday. World temperatures are on course to rise an average of 6 degrees Celsius by the end of the century, according to the Global Carbon Project researchers. Experts believe a temperature rise... More »

MORE ABOUT:
climate change • global warming • carbon emissions • Copenhagen climate change conference

Break Stuff to Save the Planet: Gore

Former VP endorses civil disobedience against climate change

Nov 6, 09 4:15 PM CST
(Newser) - Al Gore says nonviolent disruption of polluters and airports is justified considering the grave threat posed by climate change. "Civil disobedience has an honorable history, and when the urgency and moral clarity cross a certain threshold, then I think that civil disobedience is quite understandable, and it has a... More »

MORE ABOUT:
climate change • Al Gore • global warming • Copenhagen • civil disobedience • US Senate • Copenhagen climate change conference

239 Stories


World 
TwitterFollow @NewserWorld on Twitter

 
climate change • global warming • Ethiopia • famine • Live Aid • food aid • World Food Program

from our news partners

Associated PressAssociated Press