Yet another crisis of increasingly epic proportions is happening with scant attention from much of the world. Apparently, the Bush Administration focused plenty on Niger when they saw forged documents as a way to justify their invasion if Iraq. Now, when millions in Niger face starvation, where is their attention?
The aid agency Oxfam warned last week that about 3.6 million people, about a third of them children, face starvation in this West African nation devastated by locusts and drought. The U.N.'s humanitarian agency estimates some 800,000 children under 5 are suffering from hunger, including 150,000 faced with severe malnutrition.
Here's the story More below.
The U.N. first sent out an appeal for $16 million last November. In response they received just $1 million. In May of this year they again sent out an appeal, this time for $30 million. To date, they've received $10 million. We keep hearing of how much the industrialized nations are pledging to countries in Africa. Big announcements from the G-8 conference. Proclamations from the shrub about funding for the AIDS crisis in Africa. However, it all seems like BS to me when the U.N. can't get a lousy $30 million from the U.S. or other wealthy nations.
A 16-ton shipment of oil, sugar, and nutritional paste arrived in Maradi from France on Thursday, and several more shipments were scheduled, the U.N. World Food Program said.
But the need is great and growing in this desert nation of 11.3 million regularly ranked among the world's least developed. When the first appeal was made, only $1 per day, per person would have helped solve the food crisis, the U.N. has said. Now that the situation has worsened and people are weaker, $80 will be needed per person.
Will the world let yet another crisis pass without paying attention? Whether it's genocide, disease or famine the U.S. government and it's people must answer the call. It's nice to hear Bill Clinton say how much he regrets ignoring Rwanda. Well it would be even nicer for him to now shine the spotlight on the increasingly grave situation in Niger.
Hassan Balla, a schoolteacher in Tarna seems hopeful:
"The world is generous," he said. "Our friends heard our cries. Do you think they will let us suffer when they are living comfortably?"
Those living comfortably can help out and donate today. Those not living so comfortably can also donate whatever they can. Let's also call/write/email our elected representatives to open their eyes to this developing crisis.