[afro-nets] Famine in Niger - Another example of failed development (2)

[Mizan Siddiqi <msiddiqi@voxiva.net>]

Famine in Niger - Another example of failed development (2)
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It would be good to know the perspective of WFP. It has a robust
mechanism of delivering food and has tons of data to forecast
food shortage and impending crisis. FAO make crop assessment
every year across nations. The food shortage information is
known by all, it is the delayed action or no action by the key
individuals and governments determine the fate of millions.

During Tsunami and crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa particularly my
last year consultancy in Zimbabwe gave me good impression about
their work and a serious crisis was avoided. But 'will' factor
within UN and G-8 support remains the corner stone of any suc-
cess of such operation. At the same time the strongest media gi-
ant like BBC and CNN plays a crucial role for focused attention
by the policy makers.

It seems the system is there but few critical chain reactions
need to happen before UN can get its act together. Will there be
any commission set up to investigate failure of UN and other na-
tions and lay out the critical chain reactions to avoid further
crisis in many parts of the world? After all, UN is U none!


Dr.Mizan Siddiqi
MBBS MSC DCH
Technical Advisor (Health, Nutrition and HIV/AIDS)
and Director M&E
Voxiva Inc.
1725 K Street NW Suite 900
Washington DC 20006, USA
Tel: +1-202-419-0197
Fax: +1-202-419-0131
mailto:msiddiqi@voxiva.net