Famine in Africa Requires New Approach, Charity Says
July 24, 2006 | Read Time: 1 minute
A “myopic, short-term” effort focused on emergency food aid has dominated the international response to famine in Africa, while innovative solutions and massive long-term support are needed, according to a new report by Oxfam, the aid agency in Britain, reports Reuters.
Food emergencies happen three times more often today than 20 years ago in Africa, but international charities and governments around the world have provided “too little, too late,” Oxfam said, calling for an overhaul of response efforts.
The group said political conflicts, AIDS, and climate change have exacerbated the famine problems. For example, Oxfam said, one-fifth of the agricultural work force in sub-Saharan African countries will die from AIDS by 2020.
