African drought.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail....pia-risk-cholera.html

Why does Britain need to dish out a further £52m worth of aid on top of the £13million donated by Britons to the DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal launched only a week ago, plus the annual amount we already give in aid to Africa, and the amount we are obliged to donate via The United Nations.?

How much are the wealthy countries of Africa giving from their Gold and Diamond mines?

[daisya]

Well said housemouse.

[Gromit]

// has to be better ways to help them in the long term //

There won't be a long term for many of them if they don't get our aid.

[Postdog]

The reason (or one of them) so many children are born there is life expectancy is usually short. All they are doing is ensuring continuance.

[tigerlelly]

They don't need aid as it ends up in the hands of corrupt Govts. - you can't drink money. They need water and food as a matter of urgency for themselves and for their livestock.

[Gromit]

Not that you will be interested in Self Help in Africa, but here is a link for your information

http://www.selfhelpaf.../main/PR-ETH-home.htm

[daisya]

I agree tiger. As for "The reason (or one of them) so many children are born there is life expectancy is usually short. All they are doing is ensuring continuance.", well isn't this where they need educating that they are exacerbating the problem, it's not quantity they need but quality and they need to be shown the way along with receiving the water and food (not money to buy it but for others to provide it) so that they can start to survive to be taught.

[tigerlelly]

housemouse - some of the worst problems are in Ethiopia which was never colonised. You can't blame a current drought/famine on something our forebears may have done.

[daisya]

* or taught to survive

[TTG]

I do hope other countries (USA, France, Germany etc) are going to give similar donations. These poor people will be helped so much more quickly if that was the case.

[Gromit]

Fertility rate 5.4 children per woman, but the infant mortality rate is 77 per 1000. Life expectancy is 52 male 58 female.

[Gromit]

2 thirds of Ethiopians are Christians.

[daisya]

Why is that relevant then Gromit or didn't I read the answer properly?

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit

/// if it isn't your hatred of black people, could you explain why we should not give money to prevent disease and death to fellow humans in need? ///

You are at it again with your inferences regarding my attitude to black people.

If you read my question it isn't about my objection to give money per se to Africa, it is the amounts that I question, in a time of shortages of cash in our own country.

You are always very keen to Google for your replies, why in this instance have you not come up with any figures to answer my last paragraph's question?

[Bobbisox]

AOG I made a similar point when the Children in Need appeal was on, I was called racist at best for having an opinion, I know what you are trying to say, I can't see anywhere in your thread you have suggested these people are lazy or worthless, I find the appeals very upsetting to watch and believe me if I could help more than I do, I would

[daisya]

Bobbi you are right. I find this a worthy question for debate and see no offence in it.

[Bobbisox]

daisy this so often happens to AOGs threads, tedious, but there it is
I find his contributions to the site are always good, and long may they continue

[anotheoldgit]

/// There won't be a long term for many of them if they don't get our aid. ///

That is all so simplistic of Gromit, does he think that by Britain giving a few million, overnight the whole of the 'Horn of Africa' is going to be drought free, cholera and other diseases free, plus the luxury of 4 meals a day for all?

[Gromit]

// How much are the wealthy countries of Africa giving from their Gold and Diamond mines? //

I am not really bothered if other countries donate aid or not, it isn't really relevant. My Government is sending humanitarian aid, and as I am a British tax payer, I am please that some of my money might save someone else's life. I don't give a toss if Belgians, South Africans, Americans or Saudi Arabians give any more or any less than we do. It is up to them what they donate, as it is up to the British Government what we donate. If you don't like it, vote BNP or UKip to register your protest at the next election.