AFRICA – How far have we come?

 

Bono and economist Jeff Sachs were in NY last week for a round of meetings with the UN and G8 countries. Both took time to blog about some of their experiences (you can find them here )

 

 

 

 

From one of Bono’s blogs – some stats on how far we’ve come since 2000 with Africa and aid:

Since the turn of the millennium, 29 million more kids are in school in Africa.

Since 2002, 2 million Africans are on lifesaving ARVS.

Since 2003, 59 million bednets have been distributed in Africa. In the last 2 years, Rwanda and Ethiopia have cut malaria cases and deaths by more than 50%.

For those of you, the many of you, questioning aid on this site, you’re not wrong to suggest that it’s not the only answer. Of course it’s not. It’s trade, it’s governance, it’s private investment. But aid is critical… ask Germany, ask Ireland. See it as a leg-up, not a hand-out.

I’m not talking about the aid of the 20th century by the way. For too many years, much aid was wasted and ended up redecorating presidential palaces instead of building hospitals. That was our corruption as well as theirs. Handing over billions of dollars to a corrupt dictator because he isn’t a Commie, knowing he will use it to suppress discontent and swell personal bank accounts – that makes you complicit. But, this is a new century, and a new understanding of aid and partnership means that we are starting to see different results.

You can read the rest of his blog for yourself if you’re interested – its well worth the read I think. But I wanted to post those stats - so many people still think that Africa is a losing battle, that aid money is being wasted on corrupt countries, that nothing can be done, etc etc. … and so they do nothing.

But in the face of the numbers and stats – obviously the number of people doing ’something’ has jumped dramatically – 59 MILLION BED NETS – just that alone is staggering. A gift of 2 bed nets runs you $30.00 through World Vision Gift Catalogue – there is another agency that does nothing but bed nets – $15.00 each I think it is.  $15.00 is less than a ticket and popcorn at the local movie house.

I just wanted to post some good news – some encouragement for anyone out there slugging away, volunteering, contributing, donating. IT IS making a difference!

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