September 16, 2006
Global Day for Darfur
Tomorrow is the Global Day for Darfur. Follow the link to add your name to find out more, join the campaign, and to see messages from Tony Blair, Desmond Tutu and others. Tony Blair has criticised the Sudan government for its failure in Darfur.
Meanwhile, Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore, as new head of the African Union, will chair a meeting next week in New York about Darfur, on the fringe of the UN General Assembly.
Tags: africa african union day for darfur sudan darfur
September 15, 2006
News affecting Africa
* Malaria.
DDT has been approved by the World Health Organisation for malaria control. It was previously banned because of concerns over environmental and health risks. However, as I argued here, the potential benefits of careful use of DDT as an effective insecticide against mosquitos seem to far outweigh the evidence for potential dangers.
* World Bank Aid
The UK is witholding $50m of contributions to the World Bank in protest at harmful conditions attached to aid for poor countries. According to the BBC, "Oxfam and other campaigners such as Christian Aid say the World Bank's current policies often leave people in developing countries worse off than before."
* Sudan
The BBC reports that more than 200,000 people have died in Sudan's Darfur conflict. Sudan recently rejected a UN resolution authorising a 20,000-strong force for Darfur, saying it is an attack on its sovereignty.
Tags: malaria africa ddt world bank sudan darfur aid health
July 19, 2006
US cotton farmers see the effects of American subsidies on Africa
A poor man's field may produce abundant food, but injustice sweeps it away."
(Prov 13:23)
A while ago, I wrote about the US cotton subsidies, how they depress world prices and harm the economy of poor cotton-producing countries such as Burkina Faso. Burkina loses more money through the effect of US cotton subsidies than it receives through US aid. These subsidies have been declared illegal by the WTO.
Then, to the hope of millions, the US announced it was scrapping its cotton subsidies.
US farmers see the reality for themselves
But it seems there is still a problem. US cotton farmers have recently visited Burkina's neighbour, Mali, and said themselves that US cotton subsidies are hurting Africans and "worsening hardship in the world's poorest region". In 2004-05, $4.2 billion in government subsidies was given to just 25 000 US cotton producers, affecting between 15 and 20 million people in Africa who depend on the crop.
In addition, a paper produced by TCS observes: "The vast majority of these and other commodity subsidies go to the largest and most profitable farm operations. ... one farm in Arkansas received $23 million in cotton subsidies between fiscal years 1996 and 2001."
The situation as it stands
So what happened to that "scrapping" of the subsidies?
Well, in fact, Congress only agreed to scrap one part of the subsidies (the the Step 2 cotton export subsidy program if you are interested), and that only comes into effect as from next month. Oxfam does a good analysis of that decision here.
It was a good start, but leaves $3.2 billion in annual cotton subsidies and $1.6 billion in export credits untouched - all equally illegal and unjust.
West Africa have seen a 14% increase in their cotton yields, but the absence of an equitable price, caused by the western subsidies, meant a 31% loss in the income they received from it. While the price of imports such as oil are rising, the price Burkina can receive for its key export is falling due to western subsidies. So we keep Burkina poor by our unjust trade rules, and then appease our consciences by giving a few million in aid.
International deliberations
Ahead of the WTO, the leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali, Chad and Benin have been continuing their fight for the elimination of cotton subsidies worldwide. President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso spoke to the Trade Negotiating Committee of the WTO in June, and, with the president of Mali, has written a letter to the New York Times condemning the subsidies.
One year after the climax of the Make Poverty History campaign at the G8 summit in Edinburgh, the EU and US are still arguing over who needs to make more cuts to their subsidies and tariffs. The Middle East crisis then inevitably kicked concern for Africa onto the sidelines. Yesterday, there was more hope as trade ministers have been sent to meet at the WTO with a principle of "more flexibility" in the aim of resolving the issues of trade subsidies and tariffs.
Parallel to the G8 summit in Russia, there is another summit in Gao in Mali, trying to bring attention to the region's issues. With immigration from Africa to Europe a major concern for the "rich nations", the gathering in Mali observes that "working to improve the standard of living in sub-Saharan Africa is the only way to stem the tide of immigration".
Justice and common sense
The obvious injustice of the vast discrepency of wealth between the rich and poor world is also a cause for international social disruption - whether that be immigration or terrorism.
Justice in trade rules for the poor, giving a fair income for their work, is not only right on its own merit, but is beneficial to all. It gives dignity to people, allowing them to work to improve their lives rather than being so dependant on aid. And it takes away one of the main incentives to the international social unrest that so threatens our world today.
Please pray and campaign for trade justice for the poor:
UK:
Tear Fund
US: ONE
A good paper by Oxfam on the cotton issue is available here.
Tags: burkina faso africa burkina aid trade wto cotton justice poverty g8 subsidies farming agriculture
July 17, 2006
What do Burkina Faso, the Vatican, and Afghanistan have in common?
None of them, along with 95 other countries have McDonalds.
In fact only three countries in Africa - the three wealthiest - have the Golden Arches.
Blessed are the poor, for they shall not have a Big Mac.
Tags: burkina burkina faso africa mdconalds big mac
February 02, 2006
US cotton subsidies scrapped!
The BBC reports today that the US has scrapped its major cotton subsidies! This has to be good news for Burkina Faso.
These subsidies had been declared illegal by the WTO because they distorted the global market.
In particular, they undermined the prices that poor cotton-producing countries like Burkina Faso could get for their cotton. Such subsidies thus actively damaged efforts of these countries to work their own way out of poverty. I wrote about the issue here.
Now that the US has taken this step, let's hope the EU begin to deal with the iniquities of the Common Agriculture Policy subsidies...
Tags: africa burkina burkina faso trade wto cotton justice poverty subsidies us cotton subsidies
December 18, 2005
Spotlight on Darfur 3 - Christmas Edition
All Things 2 All is hosting the third Spotlight on Darfur - a collection of posts bringing attention to the continuing situation in the Sudan.
"In the Western world Christmas has become a time of glitz and tinsel, and also for many a time to give and receive gifts. The contributors to this Spotlight on Darfur are diverse and do not represent any one organization or group. But we share in wanting to give something to the people of Darfur at this time, and we hope for peace in that troubled and conflicted area."
Go read.
November 22, 2005
Growing up among the Fulani
I have just come across a blog by Christine, the daughter of good missionary friends of mine. We worked together in Burkina Faso, but they are now back in New Zealand. Christine's fulfulde was better than mine, and she lived among the women and children in a way that has given her a lot of unique experience of their culture.
She has a short posting here, where she gives a perspective on what it was like growing up among the Fulani of Burkina Faso. She tells of the pain of seeing her friends marry at 13 to older men, and of little girls dying from being circumcised with a rusty blade. But she also tells of the joy of experiencing people's generosity and kindness.
I will be keeping an eye on her blog for future stories and insights to pass on to you.
September 22, 2005
Did you see this?
Missionary blogs: A new site highlighting missionary blogs from around the world.
Do you get it? Tod on the good news of the kingdom, and what it's not.
Get me to the match on time: These guys really didn't want to miss the game!
September 03, 2005
World Cup Qualifiers Spectacular
While my home town of Cardiff was invaded by the hordes who came to see England take a narrow 1-0 win over Wales, a much more exciting match was taking place in Ouagadougou, where Burkina Faso trounced South Africa 3-1.
Although Burkina were already out of the running, the result has all but ruled South Africa out of qualifying for next year's World Cup Finals in Germany.
Felicitations, les Etalons!
Tags: burkina faso africa soccer burkina world cup football
August 09, 2005
Famine or no famine?
The BBC report that the Niger president, Mamadou Tanja, denies there is a famine in his country.
In strict definition at least, it seems he is correct. The most useful report on the situation seems to be this one by FEWS, the famine early warning system. In response to the question "Is there now or will there soon be a famine or mass starvation in Niger?" they state:
Food crisis, not famine
"There is a very severe, but localized, food security crisis in some pastoral and agro-pastoral areas of northern Maradi, Tillabery, Zinder, and Tahoua regions caused by an early end of last year’s rains, locust damage to some pasture lands, current high prices of food, and chronic non-food causes of malnutrition. In these areas, high malnutrition rates, some of which reveal severe local problems, will inevitably be accompanied by increases in the “normally” high levels of infant mortality." They state this is the consensus between the Niger government, WFP, FAO, CILSS, and FEWS NET on the "locally severe, but non-famine nature of the crisis.
If the media have exaggerated the extent of the crisis, there yet remains a crisis - a "locally severe" food crisis. Aid agencies report children dying of hunger every day. In this, President Tanja seems to be going against the consensus, by claiming the situation is not worse than usual, and in seeing some political plot behind the claims of famine.
The state of the Niger Government
Yet M Tanja is not a tyrant or despot. Indeed, he was welcomed to the White House by George Bush less than two months ago, and was praised, along with four other African presidents for the "strong statement that these leaders have made about democracy and the importance of democracy on the continent of Africa." He is Niger's first elected president to complete his term without assassination or coup.
FEWS says: "Within the limitations of its own resources, the Government of Niger has been responsive to the current food security crisis in its continuous and collaborative monitoring and assessment of conditions, subsidized cereal sales from reserve stocks, a “loaning” of cereals in affected areas until the next harvest, and more recently, in distributing free food."
Long-term Poverty Issue
The FEWS report raises other interesting issues with the West African food crisis, and is worth serious reading. One main point that comes through is that - while we need to address the current crisis - it is the long-term poverty issues that need to be dealt with if the crisis is not to recur:
"This food crisis is not just a temporary emergency. It is the predictable and inevitable result of inadequately-addressed chronic poverty in the world’s second poorest country. Although the willingness of much of the world to address these “famine” conditions in Niger is appropriate and welcome, without a similar commitment and prolonged attention to addressing the chronic issues that are at the heart of the current localized crises, the same problems will re-occur again soon."
Tags: niger africa aid famine food crisis tanja
August 04, 2005
West African Food Crisis
The crisis in West Africa continues. Money is finally being given, and food beginning to arrive, but more help is needed. Please give what you can to help.
Although Niger has been the worst hit so far, and has had most attention, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Mauritania are also badly affected:
Niger
The situation on the ground in the three provinces of Zinder, Maradi and Tahoua is fraught: people are eating grass and dying of hunger; families are walking 20 miles to get to feeding centres where there is not enough food to go around. Children are being tagged as to whether they are starving enough to get food. There is simply not enough for everyone, and many are having to go without.
The rains have finally arrived, which is good for the fields - where people remain to work them - but the rain also brings problems: malaria can kill off those weakened by hunger; roads can be washed away, hindering the trucks bringing food aid.
Cattle and sheep - the main source of livelihood for many - have died in their hundreds. Many who had large herds now have lost all. Those that are left are skin and bones and cannot be sold for any price.
The World Food Programme (WFP) said it had raised its appeal for its Niger operation to US$57.6 million from a previous appeal of US$16 million because of the raised costs of emergency relief. It could have intervened earlier and reduced the price of dealing with the crisis had it received earlier responses to appeals, but international governments were slow to respond.
Further information:
Niger Watch
Guardian special reports.
Slide show
Burkina Faso
More than 500,000 people in Burkina Faso are also in immediate need of food assistance, particularly in the northern province of Oudalan, the area around Gorom-Gorom, where we are doing some food aid distribution.
It seems the high commissioner of the province has just been "removed from office", along with several other local figures, following a scandal in which more than 50 tonnes of food aid "disappeared." Fortunately, the police seem to have acted quickly and effectively to deal with the corruption.
Our food aid will, in any case, be handled by the pastor of the local church, a man I trust, and whom I have used before for similar food distribution.
Mali
More than 1 million people in Mali face a major food crisis because rich countries have not responded to calls for emergency funds. Aid agencies say donors must act now to help the 1.1 million people at risk there. The worst-hit areas in are Timbuktu, Gao and Kidal, in the north of the country. Only 14% of the $7.4m (£4.18m) requested by the World Food Programme for Mali has been received since it launched an appeal in December.
Mauritania
In Mauritania, around 800,000 people - more than 25% of the population - are at risk, with the worst-affected regions being Aftout and Affol, in the south-east, and the Senegal River Valley to the south.
Mauritania has also just had a bloodless coup d'etat, which has been condemned by the UN, African Union, and the US.
Please donate: you can give to the Disaster Emergency Committee, which includes Tear Fund, World Vision, and Christian Aid, and is working in all four countries.
Please blog: write a post about this crisis, to raise awareness and encourage people to respond. Register at Bloggers Unite for Africa to express your concern and commitment.
Tomorrow I hope to give some more thoughts on this food crisis and some elements of a Christian response.
Tags: burkina faso africa aid burkina niger mali famine mauritania
August 01, 2005
Updates on Africa
* Niger and West Africa.
* Sudan.
* Bloggers Unite for Africa.
Continue reading "Updates on Africa"
July 29, 2005
Why should we listen to voices from Africa?
Most of you will probably see the title of this and pass on.
Talk about Africa is not on your radar.
Well, there are two good reasons why we as Christians need to be listening to voices from Africa:
1. The church is now vastly non-western. It is African, Asian, and Latin American. These are the places where the church is not only large, but growing and vibrant.
2. Jesus is most often found among the poor and on the margins. If you want to know where Jesus is, and what he is doing today, look in Africa!
Has not God chosen the poor in the eyes of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom? We need to hear what Africa has to say to us about spirituality, faith, and theology. And we need to hear the concerns of our family there, and ask how Christ, whom we call Lord, would have us respond.
Most of the discussion among Christians on the internet simply reflects the situation in the western world - rich white guys arguing amongst themselves about issues concerning an ever-decreasing section of the church: English Bible translations, American politics, postmodern church, Calvinism and Arminianism....
Not that these things shouldn't be discussed, of course. But the issues that concern the vast majority of the world's population, the vast majority of Christians in the world, and the vast majority of the materially and spiritually needy in the world, barely raise a ripple. Poverty, hunger, suffering, and injustice raised their heads recently, only because they give us a chance to talk about rock bands and espouse our own views. Then we returned to more urgent things. The needs of the 10/40 window and of the millions with no access to the good news of Christ are drowned out by expostulations about the war on terror.
We have the money to be able to broadcast our views in books, seminars, and blogs, however ridiculous our views or insipid our spirituality. Most Africans do not of course have a voice in blogworld or to the western church. And we don't want to listen anyway. Please don't disturb our comfort by asking us to be interested in Africa beyond giving some spare change occasionally to appease our consciences. Let us get back to our comfortable Christianity and our polemics.
And yet, that's where Jesus is.
That's where the needy are.
And that is the church of today, and increasingly of tomorrow.
As Graham Cray says in the book "the post-evangelical debate":
"The focus of influence within world Christianity will increasingly be the churches of the South, making the subject of this book (and maybe our blogs...? K) a marginal debate... Western Christians still have little awareness how far they have moved from the centre of influence. The crucial question for all Christians at this time, evengelical or not, may be, how much can we learn from our brothers and sisters in the Two Thirds World?"
And are we listening?
Tags: church africa christianity blogging
July 26, 2005
Niger
The food crisis situation we are facing in the north of Burkina has of course struck throughout the whole region of West Africa, and is particularly bad in Niger, where 3.5 million are at risk. 150 000 children there are suffering from extreme hunger, and less than 1 in 10 of those in need are making it to the feeding centres.
The food crisis has been caused by a combination of locust invasion and bad rains, which ruined last year's harvest. NGOs were warning of the forthcoming disaster since November last year, and calling for aid. Further appeals in January and June still failed to raise a penny in aid from international governments. The amount asked for initially to prevent the crisis - a few million dollars - was peanuts compared with the fact that "Europeans eat ice cream for $10bn a year and Americans spend $35bn on their pets each year."
Now that the crisis has hit, and it is on our television screens, governments are shamed into doing something, but it is still a fraction of what is needed. Food is now beginning to arrive, but it is too little, too late for many thousands who will die before it can reach them. And the amount of money needed to resolve the crisis now is much more than would have been necessary to prevent it several months ago.
"The World Food Programme appeal for $16 million is still only 40 per cent funded. The UN emergency appeal for $30 million has only received $10 million, although more has been pledged. Had this money been given six months ago, it would have cost $1 per person affected per day to prevent the food crisis... It will now take about $80 to save each starving person."
The Niger government also has a responsibility, since - in spite of NGO warnings - the government did announce its problems, but tried to play down the extent of the crisis. Niger is the second poorest, and Burkina the third poorest country in the world.
Information
You can read a BBC report on the situation, including a link to a video report on the arrival of aid to Niger here.
There is also a new website, Niger Watch, run by the prolific Ingrid Jones.
Help
You can send money to help to:
Red Cross
World Vision
Christian Aid/ ACT
July 15, 2005
Flanders & Swann... and malaria prevention
For those of us visiting Africa from abroad, anti-malarial medicine is an essential. In recent years, lariam or mefloquine has been found to be effective, but unfortunately, has become well-known for its disconcerting side-effects.
Continue reading "Flanders & Swann... and malaria prevention"
July 14, 2005
Sudan update
* Former rebel leader joins government.
* Darfur peace process.
* Trouble out east.
* Prayer for Darfur.
Continue reading "Sudan update"
July 08, 2005
What does the Lord require of you...?
David Wayne at Jollyblogger has written a post on Live Aid, the ONE campaign and Africa. I don't agree with the assessments of all those he quotes, although it does give a perspective on different Christians ways of looking at the issue. He quotes an interesting perspective by Gideon Strauss, and promises us more of his own thoughts in the coming weeks, which I look forward to.
This is what I commented there:
"I've been a missionary for 15 years in one of the poorest countries in Africa. I am convinced that preaching the gospel and making disciples of Christ is the best thing we can do for the development of Africa. But I am also convinced that the situation of extreme poverty in Africa and elsewhere is an injustice that challenges us as the church to respond in our personal lives, in our discipleship, in our church life and mission, and - in the pattern of Amos and others - in our prophetic role towards political leadership.
For this we need humility and to struggle with what God requires of me. We need to avoid the arrogance of certainty in claiming we have answers - especially when they come without the cost of the cross. We need to avoid dividing ourselves from fellow believers by throwing our lot in with either Socialist or Capitalist solutions, and instead seek what the Bible has to say, and how it critiques both.
If we as the church are to be a model and channel of God's kingdom of justice and righteousness, this must have a serious impact on our lives as we consider our mission to the world and our attitudes towards our own wealth and comfort...
I would love to see a more Biblical and (to use Andy Jackson's phrase) missional discussion of these issues taking place among Christian bloggers."
Links to my articles this weeks on: Biblical attitude to the poor, Corruption, Aid and Development, Debt, and Trade.
Tags: g8 poverty make poverty history africa mission church discipleship
June 22, 2005
Another face of Africa
“In rich countries, when they show Africa, they show the face of AIDS, of poverty, of bad things – like war. Africa has another face – a positive face. This face we bring - of colour and joy and things like this.” (Youssou N’dour)
The programme “The African Rock n roll years” was good last night. I was disappointed that actually very little time was given to the purely traditional griot music, which was the foundation for all subsequent developments. There was however a guy playing the very same style of three-stringed guitar, or hoddu, that I have propped up by the fireplace in front of me as I type this. Nice to see it played well. I can’t do anything with it.
The traditional Malian and Senegalese music styles, instruments, and culture have blended with Cuban musical influence and western instruments. This has produced a music that is so dynamic, innovative, and lyrical compared with so much of the soulless, sexual, and image-driven, mass-produced mush that fills our MP3 players. It’s also very different from the energetic, bottom-wiggling stuff coming out of the Ivory Coast.
It is a music that seems to have retained some of the richness of African culture and social values. It’s a shame they didn’t translate more of the songs, but those they did seemed also to speak of a wider social awareness than is typical of the Top Twenty (Nelson Mandela, forced marriage, AIDS, the West African tea ceremony…). An encouraging number of the singers shown seem to have a social conscience, and many have returned to their West African homes from France where they have had to go to get access to the technology for production.
To hear a taste of Senegalese Fulani Baaba Maal singing, go and watch the video of “Mi yeewnii”. Great stuff.
Update: The BBC are in the middle of a bit of a focus on Africa at the moment with "Africa lives on the BBC" There is some interesting stuff out there. I obviously don't watch enough TV, as this crept up on me without me realising it was there.
June 21, 2005
African Rhythms
I'll be watching The African Rock 'n' Roll Years tonight, and will report back tomorrow.
On BBC4 at 9pm, it is the first in six programmes about West African music. Tonight it traces the roots of West African music to the ancient Mande empire that once controlled much of West Africa. The music was handed down from generation to generation through the hereditary praise singers, the griots.
Griots are a central part of Fulani culture. My colleague Steve has begun to learn to play the the traditional one-stringed guitar of the Fulani griots. He wants to use it to tell the story of Jesus in a meaningful Fulani way. He does a wonderful recitation of the Beatitudes, using a traditional Fulani griot tune. In his posting "Blood in the guitar", he tells of his experiences and insights, as he learned to play .
Best-selling artists Youssou N'Dour, Baaba Maal and Salif Keita appear tonight. Ali Farka Toure, Baaba Maal and Daara J support the theory that this region of Africa was the birthplace of major musical styles like the blues, reggae and hip hop.
June 17, 2005
Bono at the BBC on Africa
Bono speaks about Aid, Trade, Corruption, and the future of Africa in an interview with BBC television. Watch the 7min video here.
June 16, 2005
Singing for Africa: Live 8 and friends
If I wasn't going to be in Edinburgh on July 2, I'd like to be here.
Bob, Bono and co have inevitably come in for criticism for their Live 8 concerts - some of it more legitimate than other...
Charity doesn't work?
Some, despite well-publicised information to the contrary, think that this is just about telling people to give more money, and say that aid does more harm than good. Actually, while it is true that the wrong kind of aid definitely can do harm, well-directed aid saves lives, and gives the much-needed impetus for development. Aid on its own is not enough, but we need more aid, and we need to direct it better.
But this time the concerts are not about giving money. Aid on its own is not enough. This time, they are about mobilising people to speak up for justice. They are calling upon the G8 leaders to act for the poor, not only in more and better aid, but also in Trade justice and Debt relief.
Mere pop stars?
Others have questioned the right of mere pop stars to speak on political issues. Wouldn't it be better if they just dipped into their own millions and shut up? Well, they are certainly vulnerable to criticism. We might not like certain aspects of their morality, or their influence. But Bob, Bono and others do actually give their time and money for Africa. And isn't it better that they use the influence they do have to call people to a concern for justice for the poor, rather than just perpetuate the pursuit of wealth and self-indulgence that is so much at the heart of life today?
Okay, so the message may get over-simplified, distorted, and even somewhat lost in the hype. But at least Africa and poverty are on the agenda - people are talking about it.
African musicians neglected
But one area I think the concerts could have done better is to have actually had better representation from Africa itself. The danger is that we give the image that Africa needs to be "saved" by white guys, whereas we are actually also part of the problem. There are some great African musicians, like Baaba Maal and Salif Keita. Wouldn't it have been great to have had them headlining above U2, Coldplay, and Pink Floyd? Working together, with Africa at the front...
June 12, 2005
Wolfowitz, the Fulani, and Burkina Faso
Paul Wofowitz has begun his first trip to Africa with a visit to some Fulani in Nigeria! He will later be visiting Burkina Faso - my adopted second home. Ah, I would have so much to talk with him about when he gets back!
Wolfowitz' appointment as head of the World Bank was controversial as he was seen by many as lacking the necessary development credentials, and unsuitable because of his involvement in Iraq. He appears at this point however to be displaying genuine commitment to listen, learn, and act for the poor in Africa. Let us pray that this all leads to action promoting justice for the poor.
Towards Jubilee
More than expected, less than hoped - this seems to be the summary of the response to the G8 finance ministers' meeting yesterday.
It is nonetheless a good start, following on from promises made at the G7 finance ministers meeting earlier in the year. £22 billion is available to write off 100% of debts of the 18 countries who have already qualified. They have qualified through achieving targets of "good governance" and "tackling corruption." It will allow these countries to spend money on education and health that would otherwise have been given to servicing debt.
My adopted second home country of Burkina Faso is one of the countries that will qualify.
Now, we need to see more action on vastly increasing and improving Aid, and especially on improving justice in Trade for poorer countries. Resolving issues of in justice in trade would give more help than all the aid we give.
May 11, 2005
Better news on the locusts
Good news: the latest report on the new locust threat to West Africa expects the invasion to be only mild this year. An added encouragement is that 90% of the necessary finance should already be available to deal with the threat.
The swarm is only expected to be 10% of the size of last year's swarm, which was the largest for 15 years, causing loss of 90% of the harvest in the north of Burkina. Cold weather and intense spraying of the developing swarm in North Africa have significantly reduced this year's threat.
Thank God, and continue to pray for Burkina. This is a huge relief. Our friends in Burkina are still suffering from the events of last year - not only the locust swarm, but also the consequences of the situation in the Ivory Coast. More on that tomorrow...
April 30, 2005
Sudan
"The two-year conflict has left some 180,000 people dead and two million people have fled their homes."
"During a scene in Hotel Rwanda, Paul - the hotel manager - sees some footage that the Western journalists have shot in the streets that shows piles of bodies and roving gangs with machetes in the streets. He is certain that once this is shown on American and European television that the powers in the West will come to the aid of the Rwandan victims of genocide. In one of the most gut-wrenching moments of truth I've ever seen on film, the cameraman replies, "I think if people see this footage, they'll say 'Oh, my God, that's horrible.' And then they'll go on eating their dinners." (from Steve.)
How will we respond this time?
More on Sudan:
A challenge and Pictures from Steve
Save Darfur
Sudan Watch
Save the Children
Latest news:
"The African Union has agreed to more than double the number of its peace monitors in the war-torn Sudanese region of Darfur. The peacekeepers are monitoring a ceasefire signed a year ago, which both Darfur rebels and pro-government Arab militias regularly violate.... the AU asked Nato for logistical and financial support for its mission in Darfur. Nato is considering the request."
April 25, 2005
Africa Malaria Day - Part 4: What can we do?
So today is Africa Malaria Day. We have seen the disastrous effects of malaria, the tools for fighting it, and the obstacles. Today, Roll Back Malaria is calling upon western donors to support the use of DDT, and highlighting the shortfall of affordable effective malaria treatment. So what can we do?
The battle against malaria can not be won in isolation from the context of poverty that perpetuates it. Individual families need the means of prevention and treatment. But there is also a need for efforts in combatting the poverty that is the main obstacle to its defeat. There are things we can do personally, and things we can call upon our governments to do. Here are some suggestions:
1. GIVE. Firstly, our own personal response. Here are a few ways of giving:
* Donate. You can give a one-off or regular gift to organisations helping to combat malaria and other health issues in Africa. (eg to AMREF, Tear Fund, or UNICEF).
* Child Sponsorship. You could sponsor a child through World Vision, ensuring that that child receives health care, education, and clean water.
* Alternative gifts. Instead of amassing more stuff on your birthday, why not ask people to send a couple of mosquito nets to Africa through World Vision's alternative gift catalogue?
* Adopt a school. As an individual or church, you could get in contact with a missionary in Africa who can put you in touch with a school or hospital that you can adopt. You could supply them with treated mosquito nets. One friend sent out 100 treated mosquito nets for a local school where I was working in Gorom-Gorom.
2. CAMPAIGN. As well as our own response, there is need for government-level intervention. There is a need for investment in training, education and distribution, support for the use of DDT, subsidising of malarial treatment, debt cancellation and other anti-poverty initatives, such as trade and aid.
* Make Poverty History. Join the Make Poverty History campaign, or its equivalent where you are. In the US there is the ONE campaign, and in Canada there is MPH Canada. Call your government to act to help those living in extreme poverty - especially at the G8 meetings later this year.
3. PRAY. Just take a moment now, and ask God that effective treatments and vaccines may be developed, that he moves the hearts of people to respond to the need, and that world leaders may act to counter extreme poverty.
4. BLOG! Write a post about malaria on your blog this week to promote awareness of malaria.
The BBC has an interesting series of photos and comment on malaria here.
For more information on Malaria, see WHO, the Roll Back Malaria partnership, or the Global Fund for malaria, TB, and AIDS.
Tags: malaria africa africa malaria day health disease
April 24, 2005
Africa Malaria Day - Part 3: Obstacles
Malaria kills nearly 1 million children in Africa/year. We have the tools to prevent and treat it. So why is it still such a big killer?
1. Poverty
"In Africa today, malaria is understood to be both a disease of poverty and a cause of poverty." (RBM) Families cannot afford the drugs or mosquito nets. And African countries often don't have the resources to develop effective anti-malarial campaigns. Often they have had to cut back education and health spending, for example, in order to repay the interest on debt from western loans. It would cost about $2b to put effective malaria control in place. In the meantime, malaria costs African countries $12b/year.
2. Conflict.
Up to 30% of Africa’s malaria deaths are in countries where war, food shortages and displacement affect large numbers of people. Today, over 120 million people in Africa alone are living in countries affected by such emergencies. Malaria deaths during these events are usually more than those caused by the conflict itself. The chaos following civil unrest can destroy health systems, cut food supplies and expose people to many infections. Poor living conditions in temporary camps and war-affected towns increase disease, and weaken people’s immune defense. (See RBM)
3. Practical considerations.
To put an effective long-term anti-malarial strategy in place, also requires training, education, reliable distribution to remote areas, and workable structures and partnerships, and these are not always easy. Roll Back Malaria is a main partnership working to bring countires and organisations together to combat malaria. Although they have had some successes (see also here), they have also been criticised for inefficiency. There have also been problems with supply shortages of drugs.
4. Lack of international commitment
Clearly, combatting malaria requires financial, practical, and legislative help internationally. As AMREF said: "We have the tools to both prevent and control this disease, but we lack sufficient resources." More financial investment is needed to assure that affordable (therefore subsidised) drugs are available, and that organisations like RBM have the necessary funding to operate properly. The appropriate use of DDT should be supported. Poor countries' debt should be forgiven, to allow them to spend resources on priority issues such as health and education. And aid and trade should be reformed to be made more effective for poor countries.
So what can we do? The final part tomorrow...
Tags: malaria africa africa malaria day health disease
April 23, 2005
Africa Malaria Day - Part 2: We have the tools.
Malaria kills more than 1 million people a year, 90% in sub-Saharan Africa, mostly children under 5. Malaria accounts for one in five of all childhood deaths in Africa. Anaemia, low birth-weight, epilepsy, and neurological problems are all consequences of malaria, and affect the development of millions of children in Africa.
But we have the tools to combat malaria in Africa, using a combination of prevention and treatment:
1. Insecticide-treated mosquito nets.
Nets are the focus of malaria prevention. Most malaria-carrying mosquitoes bite at night. Mosquito nets provide a physical barrier to hungry mosquitoes. If treated with insecticide, the nets are more effective again. Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) are shown to reduce deaths in young children by an average of 20%. Almost 20 African countries have reduced or eliminated taxes and tariffs on ITNs to make them more affordable. But they are still expensive for families at risk of malaria, who are among the poorest in the world. Also, people who are not familiar with ITNs need to be convinced of their usefulness, and persuaded to re-treat the nets regularly.
2. DDT spraying.
As an insecticide, DDT is more effective and cheaper than most alternatives. However, its use has been highly controversial. DDT is a "persistant organic pollutant", or POP. These are chemicals which take a long time to break down, accumulate in the food chain, and therefore can be damaging to the environment, and potentially hazardous to human health. DDT does have environmental consequences, but - until recently - was not shown to have harmful effects on humans. Environmental organisations are widely considered to have scored an own goal in persistently seeking a complete ban on the use of DDT. More recently, they have come to recognise that the potential benefits of discriminating use of DDT as an effective insecticide outweigh the current risks. Sprayed on the inside of houses it can significantly reduce malaria without significant threat to environment or human health. WHO now authorises the use of DDT, but its use is generally not funded by western donor agencies or countries, and some countries are still seeking its complete ban.
3. Treatment: Cheap, effective anti-malarial drugs.
Anti-malarial treatment has been prohibitively expensive for many living in absolute poverty on under $1/day, and resistance has become widespread to the drugs. A new combination of two drugs - artemether and lumefantrine - is the most effective way to treat the disease. But Theonest Mutabingwa, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, says: "The cost of the drug means that it is likely to reach only a fraction of those who need it, unless the price is substantially reduced either through market mechanisms or, more realistically, through subsidy."
We have the tools. So why is malaria still such a major killer? More tomorrow...
Tags: malaria africa africa malaria day health disease
April 22, 2005
Africa Malaria Day - Part 1
Monday 25 April is Africa Malaria Day (thanks, Brandon, for pointing this out), so this is the first in a short series of postings about malaria.
Malaria kills over 1 million people each year, 90% of them in sub-Saharan Africa. That is 3 tsunamis each year....
Malaria is caused by a parasite injected into the blood stream by the mosquito. It causes fever, shaking, and headaches, and can produce vomiting, delirium, and - evidently - death. I have had it a few times, and have friends - African and western - who have died from it. It is bad.
Work is still continuing to look for a vaccine for malaria, but it is still thought to be 10 years off. As westerners visiting Africa, we of course have the possibility of preventative medicine, mosquito nets, mosquito sprays, mosquito-proofed houses, and access to medical treatment if necessary. Most Africans have access to none of this, either because it's not available, or because it is costs money they don't have. In addition, their resistance is often lowered by poor diet, as well as by other disease. Malarial death in Africa is thus directly linked to poverty. Malaria is a justice issue.
Unless the world shows a greater commitment to tackling the disease, many of the Millenium Development Goals remain unattainable. Malaria is relevant to at least five of the eight MDGs: poverty eradication, universal primary education, child mortality reduction, maternal health improvement, and the combat of other diseases such as HIV/AIDS.
Chris White of AMREF says: “We have the tools to both prevent and control this disease, but we lack sufficient resources to scale them up, particularly among the more remote and marginalized communities of Africa.”
So, what can be done about it? More tomorrow.
Tags: malaria africa africa malaria day health disease
April 11, 2005
Business for Africa
Following on from the Commission for Africa report, over 200 business leaders gathered in London recently, and committed themselves to action in support of Africa. They are also calling on the business community throughout the world to sign up to a Business Action for Africa Plan. This is a clear set of actions that seek to promote a prosperous Africa for all its people.
April 07, 2005
More locusts coming to Burkina Faso
This report from Relief Web tells us the consequences of the last locust invasion of Burkina Faso and the Sahel. We have still a second distribution of food aid coming up because of the severe shortages from this and the drought. But the report also warns of another invasion in the coming months:
"A serious food crisis is developing in the Sahel region, particularly Mauritania, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. The desert locust invasion which swept across the semi-arid Sahel region of West Africa in 2004 was the worst of its kind in 15 years and was accompanied by localised drought in many of the areas worst affected.
Current estimates indicate 60% of Mauritanian households are food-insecure. A further 3.5 million people in Niger, 3 million in Burkina Faso and 1.7 million in Mali are also affected.
Tensions are also building up between farmers, migrants and nomads as the livestock of the nomads competes for what remained of the crops. Market prices for staple food have risen considerably. Livestock prices have fallen as farmers sell their animals so as to buy food; women are forced to sell their jewellery and spare clothes for similar reasons.
Desert Locust swarms are maturing in Northwest Africa and egg-laying has started in NE Algeria. Several immature swarms persist in southern Senegal and Guinea...These are likely to return in large numbers by mid-2005; this would lead to greater food insecurity in the Sahel countries.
The United Nations has increased its 2005 appeal for West Africa by USD 38 million in order to help countries battling with the aftermath of last locust invasion and localized drought."
It also reports:
"Spring breeding commenced during March in Northwest Africa...Several immature swarms that persisted in southern Senegal and Guinea during March will eventually move towards central Mali in April and May....Sahelian countries should prepare themselves for any swarms that could arrive from Northwest Africa from about late June onwards."
March 30, 2005
Don't forget
Go and see Hotel Rwanda. Or buy it.
'The genocide was made all the more tragic by the fact that most of the world chose to ignore the conflict and the plight of the Rwandan people...the horror of the conflict, instead of causing international outrage, seemed to be written off as another "third world incident" and not worthy of attention.
Over the course of 100 days, almost one million people were killed in Rwanda. The streets of the capital city of Kigali ran red with rivers of blood, but no one came to help. There was no international intervention in Rwanda, no expeditionary forces, no coalition of the willing. There was no international aid for Rwanda. Rwanda's Hutu extremists slaughtered their Tutsi neighbors and any moderate Hutus who stood in their way, and the world left them to it.
"Ten years on, politicians from around the world have made the pilgrimage to Rwanda to ask for forgiveness from the survivors, and once more the same politicians promise `never again,'" says director Terry George. "But it's happening yet again in Sudan, or the Congo, or some Godforsaken place where life is worth less than dirt."
Wars have always provided fertile ground for the emergence of heroes and supreme acts of heroism by ordinary people. Rwanda was no exception. Amidst the horrendous violence and chaos that swept the country, one of the many heroes to emerge was Paul Rusesabagina, an ordinary man who, out of love and compassion, managed to save the lives of 1268 people.'
(from "A Modern Genocide: The story behind the film" at Hotel Rwanda)
I went to see Hotel Rwanda on Easter Sunday. This is a superb and powerful film, worthy of its Oscar nomination, and the awards it has gained. But it is also a reminder, a rebuke, and a call to us never again to ignore our responsibilities - for example in Sudan and other places.
March 14, 2005
Speaking up for Africa
The Report from the Commission for Africa is out.
Have you even heard of it? And do you even care? Our news is of course dominated by home news and by events in Iraq. Yet, as Steven at two and two makes five notes, Africa tops Reuter's "top ten of forgotten emergencies" - Congo, Sudan, Uganda, West Africa, and AIDS.
God so loved the world...
A Christian attitude must include a concern for righteousness, compassion, and justice that extends beyond our own back yards to the world. We must care about more than just how international situations affect us. And an effective response must go beyond only giving out of our personal abundance.
There is not much new in the Commission for Africa report. And up to this point it is only words and good intentions. But it is a well-balanced report, calling for action from both the west and from Africa. It recognises progress in many parts of Africa, but calls for more to be done especially in regard to corruption and human rights. And from the west it recognises the need for action on aid, trade, debt, AIDS, and peacekeeping.
The key is implementation. What is different this time is that there does seem to be political will from some key leaders such as Blair. Others, however, are reluctant to go along. A Christian perspective must say that, as those who hold wealth and power, western nations have a moral obligation to act for the good of the poor and weak. And, as Christians, we should be calling our governments to act.
Take a look at the website for the Micah Challenge, which brings together evangelical groups speaking up for the poor. And also check out the "Global Week of Action" for April 10-16. Focusing on the G8 Summit and other main events for this year, this gives us all an opportunity to make our voices heard. As part of this, there are national campaigns, such as the Make Poverty History campaign in the UK. Do you know of similar campaigns in the US, Canada, or elsewhere? Is this kind of concern on the agenda for Christians where you are?
February 13, 2005
Links to Sudan
I have updated my links at the side of the page and added some new ones. All are interesting - and there are a few more cross-cultural ones there. I'd like to draw your attention in particular to these two:
Joseph Hakim is a Sudanese Christian currently working with Serv Life in Uganda, where many of his fellow Sudanese have fled from the conflict. I am so glad to see an African Christian having the opportunity to join the conversation in blogworld, which has been so dominated by white, middle class, English-speaking blokes (like me in fact...). We do need to be hearing voices such as his. He has been writing recently on the peace deal in Sudan, and on AIDS.
Two and two makes five is the blog of Steven Nicholson, a North American pastor, also with Serv Life. In a recent post, he writes challengingly about the situation in Sudan, and our need to respond. No easy answers, but as Christians we cannot ignore Sudan, and need to be praying and seeking what the Lord requires of us in a stand for justice.
December 20, 2004
Update on locusts and famine relief in Burkina
Some good news: the World Bank has approved $60m to help with projects to fight against future locust invasions in seven countries of the Sahel. Burkina will receive $8.4m, $1.6m of which was given as an advance to help with the current crisis.
As I posted recently, the north of Burkina has lost 90% of its harvest this year due to the locust invasion, and we are collecting money to help with grain for famine relief. We thank God for those who have already responded. Each gift will help greatly. If you want to contribute, please contact World Horizons. Thank you.
December 02, 2004
The locust swarm
You have probably heard of the locust swarm that has swept through West Africa. The latest report from Burkina is that 90% of the harvest from the north of the country has been lost – first because of bad rains, and then because of the locusts.
Here are some quotes from friends in the area:
“They came twice. Giant, colourful, swarms--clouds!-- of bugs came and ate everything off of the millet stalks. The first time they came through, I think they were in a hurry to get out east. But a couple of days later they came back through and cleaned up everything they hadn't gotten before. It was a depressing couple of days…”
“The famine this year looks like it will be about as bad as it gets. People in Djibo are already getting skinny and they have nothing to eat.”
