ADDIS ABABA, May 31 Live Aid founder Bob Geldof accused western donors on Saturday of ''criminal negligence'' in drought-afflicted Ethiopia, saying a lack of aid had already killed tens of thousands of people.
Aid agencies estimate 14 million Ethiopians are at risk of starvation after the worst drought in almost two decades. There is no official figure of how many people have already died from drought-related causes.
On the last day of a visit to the Horn of Africa country, Geldof said the situation in some areas was worse than he had witnessed in 1985, when famine in the region prompted him to organise the world's biggest rock concert to help the starving.
''It is criminal negligence that tens of thousands of Ethiopians have died due to lack of food during the current drought affecting the country,'' he told a news conference in the capital Addis Ababa.
''When millions died as a result of famine in 1985, the western world had said not again. But I came back 18 years later and I found the situation no different, it is in fact worse in some places.
''It is clear that the current drought situation in Ethiopia will develop into a famine unless enough assistance is provided,'' he said.
The Irish musician and activist praised the United States, which he said has provided around 60 percent of the 1.5 million tonnes required to feed more than 14 million drought-affected people.
He criticised the European Union (EU), saying its donation of about 28 percent of the aid needed was insufficient.
''Europe has got the food, if they are not capable of providing it to the needy in Ethiopia, give it to those who are capable so that the food can save lives,'' he said.
''Ethiopia is faced with a food crisis. If the EU and other donors fail to deliver the required food on time and death occurs as a result, do not say you are not warned.''
http://www.fh.org/
You can for a few pounds, donate, or sponser a child, at this site
Aid agencies estimate 14 million Ethiopians are at risk of starvation after the worst drought in almost two decades. There is no official figure of how many people have already died from drought-related causes.
On the last day of a visit to the Horn of Africa country, Geldof said the situation in some areas was worse than he had witnessed in 1985, when famine in the region prompted him to organise the world's biggest rock concert to help the starving.
''It is criminal negligence that tens of thousands of Ethiopians have died due to lack of food during the current drought affecting the country,'' he told a news conference in the capital Addis Ababa.
''When millions died as a result of famine in 1985, the western world had said not again. But I came back 18 years later and I found the situation no different, it is in fact worse in some places.
''It is clear that the current drought situation in Ethiopia will develop into a famine unless enough assistance is provided,'' he said.
The Irish musician and activist praised the United States, which he said has provided around 60 percent of the 1.5 million tonnes required to feed more than 14 million drought-affected people.
He criticised the European Union (EU), saying its donation of about 28 percent of the aid needed was insufficient.
''Europe has got the food, if they are not capable of providing it to the needy in Ethiopia, give it to those who are capable so that the food can save lives,'' he said.
''Ethiopia is faced with a food crisis. If the EU and other donors fail to deliver the required food on time and death occurs as a result, do not say you are not warned.''
http://www.fh.org/
You can for a few pounds, donate, or sponser a child, at this site
There is no country or economic system in the world that could sustain that for a long period of time. Third world economics are rarely impressive, or easily classified (usually something like a statist government where they can, and the freest free market where the government can't afford to go).
