Quote:
Originally Posted by Mancie
that may well be true.. but what is the alternative... let people starve and die of disease because we are told we are a bankrupt nation?
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Not 'may', is true.
Factual.
If years of pouring financial aid into the third world, with no strings, hasn't worked, and people are still suffering, then yes, how the problem is addressed does need changing.
'Aid always has been – and still is – ripped off by warring factions no matter how well-meaning or competent the international aid agencies. This is simply the nature of conflict and humanitarian crisis. Aid is a resource to be exploited, whether for weapons, personal gain or political power. The Pakistanis and Afghan mujahideen did it; Angola's Unita rebels did it; and so did the government and guerrillas in
Ethiopia. Organisations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross openly and transparently assume that some of their aid (30% in Somalia) will be stolen.'
Response: The BBC was right to report claims of aid abuse in Ethiopia | Comment is free | The Guardian