Posted on 12/04/2008 11:32:14 AM PST by NormsRevenge
Somalia is in danger of descending into famine while the world's attention is focused on the problem of piracy off its coast, the Red Cross has warned.
BBC Africa analyst Martin Plaut says agencies like the International Committee of the Red Cross are very wary about using words like famine.
The ICRC's Alexandre Liebeskind said the violence had made it almost impossible for aid agencies to operate.
About half of Somalia's population is dependent on food aid.
Drought, floods and nearly two decades of conflict have driven many into destitution.
Alexandre Liebeskind, head of the ICRC in East Africa, says families are now eating their most prized possessions: the camels and goats of reproductive age.
It is a sign of increasing desperation, he says.
He compared the situation to the last great famine of 1992 when hundreds of thousands died.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
Am I supposed to feel sorry for them?
There are openings in the Mpls Airport food court.
Not to worry, the Saudis, or the Russians or the ChiComs will be there soon delivering big bags of rice.
This is ridiculous. Are they suggesting that the world's attention was focused on the starvation in Somalia until those pesky pirates came along so now the world will forget all about the starvation thing?
Food doesn’t grow in Somalia?
The Horn of Africa is just one more tinderbox on the list.
Sad.. Where is the AU? The UN? Heck .. send the Indian Navy and let them get some target practice with the pirates and airlift food and supplies ..
No mention of the militants or regime’s affiliation ,, hmmm.
Only if you like qat salad..
Send them all to Saudi.
>>Drought, floods...have driven many into destitution.<<
Sounds like they need some dams.
>>...and nearly two decades of conflict have driven many into destitution.<<
In the modern world, most famine is caused by politics.<<
Black Hawk down, Pirates up, send food and money. I’d say it’s a failed state.
Muslim, ain’t it?
Ask me if I care.
Let the imams feed them.
What I don’t understand is why boats owners do not arm themselves before they go with all this going on. Seems like a pretty cheap fix. Im looking to buy a big boat to live on soon and probably go to live in med or caribbean. The first thing Im making sure that goes on the boat is a stockpile of weapons and munitions. Might have to go overseas to get an RPG, but never leave home without one in my opinion. Your a sitting duck in the water without weapons. Those little pirate chase boats wouldn’t last long under sustained gunfire or a .50 cal rifle. They can’t fire a long rifle from a little chase boat, but with a big ship it’s no problem.
What am i missing?
Why we (or someone else) doesn’t send these pirates to the bottom of the sea is beyond me.
I hear ya, That memory came to mind , the ‘militants’ in the streets, the dead, some of our finest, for what? and now we get a 3rd term of ...
It just makes too much sense!
Heck, I bet there are more than a few who would gladly pay to go on a cruise ship or smaller vessels to bag pirates .
SoF cruises
No limits.
No Formals.
Hey Somalis eat the pirates.
They taste like chicken.
And islam brings happiness? I think not. Just don’t come here.
Hoorah reserve my place! BYOG I assume.
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