Mass appeal for aid ignores real causes of famine

LONDON - Several large Western NGOs called today for foreign aid for more than 20 million people threatened by famine in East Africa: they blame drought but the real reason is bad governance—supported by aid, experts at International Policy Network said here today.

“These famines are not caused by drought – they are caused by tyranny, bad governance and corruption. To place the blame squarely on drought is misleading and unhelpful if these countries are to avoid future famines,” Caroline Boin, Project Director at the development think-tank International Policy Network said.

The BBC’s international development correspondent blames conflict, climate change and population growth for worsening the drought’s impact. But such explanations avoid the real reason why countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia and Uganda face shortages: “For decades, these governments have prevented their people developing their land—and even from owning it. They over-tax and regulate agriculture. They place huge restrictions on the growth and sale of food, which leads to low yields and high prices,” Boin added.

By propping up such governments and ignoring the barriers they create, the development community is guaranteeing more famines in the future.

Alec van Gelder, a trade expert at International Policy Network said: “It is not surprising that famines and hunger in this part of Africa are so frequent when governments put up high barriers to trade – African agricultural producers pay export tariffs 60% higher than non-agricultural producers. This explains why East Africa has not yet recovered from the food crisis when almost every other region on Earth has.”