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International cooperation needed to stop mass starvation
August 25, 2005 12:00 AM
By Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP in Barking & Dagenham Recorder
By Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP in Barking & Dagenham Recorder
As newspaper headlines continue understandably to focus on the fight against terrorism, a desperately serious humanitarian crisis is in progress in West Africa.
Despite the UN's calls for aid over eight months ago, the world has been unforgivably slow in helping famine-stricken countries like Niger, Mali, Mauritania and Burkina Faso.
At least in stark contrast to the lack of action by the governments of rich countries, the public has made a rapid and generous response. British people have so far donated over £17 million to the Disasters Emergency Committee's appeal.
But if we really are serious about putting an end to the current famine in West Africa, and eradicating hunger for good, then international cooperation must exist at the highest levels, and reform must take place.
At times like this the EU, as the world's largest aid donor, has a vital role to play, and it has. Since June it has donated money and helped coordinate relief efforts in the region. However for many - especially kids - this is too little too late.
The EU is also spotlighted in calls for "trade not aid" and "prevention not cure". We must keep up the pressure to end the scandal of Europe's common agricultural policy which feather-beds French (and English!) farmers. This stops developing countries selling to us instead of begging from us.
But in the short term the world must really get its act together to stop mass starvation. International institutions such as the EU must lead the way by planning emergency responses well in advance.
In the 21st century it should no longer take images of starving children to galvanise us into action.
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