Famine and Foreigners in Ethiopia Since Live Aid

In 1984, Ethiopia was in the grips of a devastating famine that killed an estimated one million people. The world watched in horror as images of starving children filled television screens. In response, the British musician Bob Geldof organized the Live Aid concert, which raised millions of dollars for famine relief. Live Aid was a watershed moment in the history of foreign aid, and it helped to raise awareness of the plight of the Ethiopian people. However, the famine of 1984 was not an isolated event. Ethiopia has a long history of famine, and foreign aid has played a complex and often troubled role in the country's development.

Famine and Foreigners: Ethiopia Since Live Aid

by Peter Gill

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Language	:	English
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The Causes of Famine in Ethiopia

There are a number of factors that have contributed to the recurrent famines in Ethiopia. These include:

• Drought: Ethiopia is located in the Horn of Africa, a region that is prone to drought. Droughts can cause crops to fail and livestock to die, leading to food shortages and famine.
• War: Ethiopia has been plagued by civil war for much of its history. War can disrupt food production and distribution, and it can also lead to the displacement of people, making them more vulnerable to famine.
• Poverty: Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries in the world. Poverty can make people more vulnerable to famine, as they may not have the resources to buy food or to cope with other shocks, such as drought or war.
• Climate change: Climate change is making droughts more frequent and severe in Ethiopia. This is making the country more vulnerable to famine.

The Role of Foreign Aid in Ethiopia

Foreign aid has played a significant role in Ethiopia since the famine of 1984. Aid has been used to provide food relief, to support development projects, and to build capacity in the Ethiopian government. However, the effectiveness of foreign aid in Ethiopia has been mixed.

On the one hand, foreign aid has helped to save lives and to improve the lives of many Ethiopians. For example, food aid has helped to prevent famine, and development projects have helped to improve access to education, healthcare, and other essential services. On the other hand, foreign aid has also been criticized for being ineffective, unsustainable, and even harmful.

Some critics argue that foreign aid has created a dependency culture in Ethiopia. They argue that aid has made Ethiopia too reliant on foreign assistance, and that it has discouraged the development of self-sufficiency. Others argue that foreign aid has been used to support corrupt and authoritarian governments. They argue that aid has helped to prop up regimes that have been responsible for human rights abuses and that have failed to meet the needs of their people.

The Challenges of Foreign Aid in Ethiopia

There are a number of challenges to ensuring that foreign aid is used effectively and sustainably in Ethiopia. These include:

• Coordination: There are a large number of different donors providing aid to Ethiopia. This can lead to duplication and inefficiency. There is a need for better coordination between donors to ensure that aid is used effectively.
• Capacity: The Ethiopian government has limited capacity to absorb and manage foreign aid. This can lead to aid being wasted or misused. There is a need for the Ethiopian government to build its capacity to manage aid effectively.
• Corruption: Corruption is a major problem in Ethiopia. This can lead to aid being diverted from its intended purposes. There is a need for strong anti-corruption measures to ensure that aid is used for the benefit of the people of Ethiopia.

The relationship between Ethiopia and foreign aid is a complex and often troubled one. Foreign aid has both helped and hindered Ethiopia's development. There are a number of challenges to ensuring that foreign aid is used effectively and sustainably in Ethiopia. However, there is also a great need for aid, as Ethiopia continues to face significant challenges, including poverty, hunger, and drought. It is important to find ways to overcome the challenges and to ensure that aid is used to help the people of Ethiopia build a better future.

Famine and Foreigners: Ethiopia Since Live Aid

by Peter Gill

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	782 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	290 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE