Humanitarian workers welcomed President Bush's promise Thursday to double aid to Africa over the next five years, but analysts cautioned that money alone won't solve the continent's woes.
| I'd say about a year of careful study and analysis, followed by another year of roving hunter-killer teams should do it. Rinse and repeat as necessary... |
Good governance by African leaders and fair trade policies with the impoverished continent are also key, analysts said.
| That's why I made my humble suggestion. If it's dependant on the non-existent, somebody has to bring it into existence... |
"You have to create the right environment in which aid can get a foothold to make a difference," said Greg Mills, director of the South African Institute of International Affairs.
| See? He agrees with me... |
The World Health Organization said a proposed $1.2 billion initiative to fight malaria in Africa would contribute greatly to the international goal of cutting malaria deaths in half by 2010. The disease is one of the top killers in Africa, accounting for more than 1 million deaths every year, most of them children. British Prime Minister Tony Blair has been pressing for a generous package of aid, debt relief and trade reform to help impoverished African nations at next week's summit of leaders from the Group of Eight richest countries in Scotland. The United States is the largest single provider of economic aid to Africa, but critics contend it is not doing enough because it has given a lower percentage of its gross domestic product in aid than other major industrialized countries.
| It's never enough, is it? We could give everything we have, and it wouldn't be enough. With only one or two exceptions, Africa is a wealth consumer, not a wealth producer. |
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