Somalia: why food aid is not enough

The west,. and the rest of the so called 'developed' world has taken many centuries to reach it's present 'civilised' state, Often this has meant taking advantage, usually by means of power and warfare, of much of the more primitive sections of the globe. Africa in general terms has borne the brunt of the exploitation perpetrated by the 'developed' nations and regions, a matter that is still; ongoing to this day.

That said, much of the troubles being suffered by under privileged regions can be said to be often self inflicted.

Education has been the perceived means of escape from deprivation by millions, it is perpetually quoted by the aspirational in those poor regions, that they have ambitions to be doctors, teachers, vets, engineers and whatever else comes to mind,all well and good for a minute few, with the usual result the majority,. once so educated and trained instantly decamp for regions such as Europe, and America.

Not too far remove4d from those in Europe, especially the UK, who get trained in professions heavily in demand across the Atlantic or in the Antipodes.

The difference being, the third world desperately needs to retain those with the skills they have gained, not have them scoot off to 'better' areas, as unlike the Brits and other Europeans, who, seeking a better status elsewhere in the world, in leaving their home shores, do not leave a massive vacuum of talent when they depart.

These trained personnel, from deprived regions,are effectively assisting in the deprivation felt by those they leave behind, an d all the aid in the world can only exacerbate the gulf that opens up every time a new 'doctor' or other professional exits his or her homeland, where their s'kills' are truly in demand, unfortunately the 'do gooders' and bleeding heart liberals who step into the breach fall for the idea they bare doing good, when in fact all they are doing is helping to perpetuate the drastic situation they have stepped into.

I am as humane as the next man, I too internally weep to see the poor starving women and children who have staggered maybe hundreds of miles to seek help, I look at the kids around me, who have no worries about being fed, housed and educated, I stand frustrated and helpless in the knowledge I can do little to alter the circumstances of these desperate people, but I have to rationalise my stance and ask, when will these people come to understand they are simply being what their ancestors have been for millennia. The basic solution is in their own hands, less tribalism, less, even no, religion, a structured approach to birth rates, all of which requires those professionals to remain in their own countries and not fly off to a better but very selfish life in developed regions.

If the developed world wish to do something about their plight, I suggest the global political upper hierarchy gets it's act together and take the necessary actions to alleviate the problems, not throw it onto charitable organisations, and have them expect the ordinary people to fund it all.