Firstly, I have to point out that Africa is a continent, not a country.

Secondly, as the article points out, the main problem in Somalia is the civil war and the fact that it hasn't had a functioning government for years.

The urgent issue is saving those who have made it to the refugee camps near the border with Kenya.

Dealing with greedy bastards with guns, who are often religious nutters, and are holding the rest of the population to ransom, is on another scale.

Diamonds?,you mean blood diamonds?,enough said!

They're Arabs.

But on a lower budget.

I don't think Somalia has a gold or diamond industry. 

 Too many rich chiefs.

When I read of this where are all the Billionaires ? Murdoch, Sugar, Gates and even David Beckham and Bono. They make all those pleas on our televisions for help ..if they gave away just a fraction of their fortunes to those poor people surely it would encourage the public to give a few pence when they could afford it..

I'm sure they do Elkie but it's not just money that's needed here.  Although I doubt Climate Change it seems to be the major factor in this Famine. With all our technology can we not find a way to counteract it's effects?  

I don't know anything about the politics of Somalia but I watch the televison pictures every day of starving children who by accident of birth are facing death by starvation.  Their Mothers don't have milk to feed them, their Fathers carry them dead & dying to the nearest Aid Camp.  Their animals have also starved, their crops haven't grown because the last 8 years have been the hottest & driest on record and each year it gets worse.  They haven't had rain for 2 years and are hoping for some in October so that their crops will be ready to harvest in December - that's 5 months away.  If it does come it could be so intense that it washes away the soil so the crops will just float away in a flood.  Aid Agencies have been telling the world this for months but no one has listened.  

I have been complaining about the rain here since April and I swore I would never complain again.   The is a Global Recession and everyone is looking out for themselves which is only natural and right but in 2011 how can we stand back and see 11 million people face starvation.  

Well Said!

Tayto 

 Tayto  brilliant post 

Bloody good post, Tayto!

I know there are many problems in Somalia and I do not understand the politics either Tayto. The weather is the worst it has ever been, that and over population, poor education etc it is truly horrific, I realize this has been happening over a number of years and my heart goes out to those poor people and their children. The only thing that could help at the moment though is money and the point I was trying to make was why do some celebrities make pleas to the public in this global recession to "give what they can" when they could donate a small part of their fortunes themselves..

I'm sure they do contribute ...........they really are in a no win situation TBH .........if they did happen to say 'I've donated x amount' they'd be slated for blowing their own trumpets - bigging themselves up etc. I may be naive but I'm confident that those celebs who are out there urging us to give have probably given considerably.

Well said Tayto

One of the biggest problems (besides the warfare), It has not rained for about 2 years. Can we even imagine how we'd feel without rain for a month, never mind years. The money we spend yearly and indiviually monthly really needs to be used to do something about irrigation and animal husbandry. IMO.

Sorry tayto, I should read the whole thread.

One thing I do disagree on, they do not have any crops. They are a nomadic population and only rely on their animals for food and trade.

Maybe so but one direct contribution could inoculate most of these children and adults against disease.. instead there is a major rush of donations which go to water,etc. Blowing their own trumpets ?? Spare me Soozy they would kill for such publicity..

Doesn't saying that sort of prove Soozy's point?

What point ?

Soozy's point was that, if they make public how much they are donating, they will be accused of 'blowing their own trumpets' and you then say that they would 'kill for such publicity', which proves that you would presume that their motives are selfish, which proves Soozy's point! 

I know what I mean. 

If they are asked to make an appeal, yet don't publicise how much they are giving, they still run the risk of being criticised. As Soozy said, they really can't win!

slightly off the current subject. .btw I know what Blizzie meant too .. slated if they don't go public and slated if they do..

I want to give something to the aid but I want to make sure it is going to an organisation that can get the help thru and doesn't cream off most of the donation for 'admin'. . does anyone know much about the ones ITV News and This Morning are asking people to phone or text?  [gone completely blank on the name of it ] the text number 70000 is about all I can recall. .and you have to text AID for ITV News or GOOD for This Morning

I just want to make sure my meagre offering goes to the best place where it can do the most good.

Olly, I would suggest the DEC is the best way to donate.

You can read about them here - http://www.dec.org.uk/item/506

ooooooh  cheers Blizzie. .that's them who ITV were saying to text anyway I couldn't recall the name before...  I'll have a deco and if I think they are ok I shall hit send.. ..a little bit extra on my Overdraft won't hurt.. hopefully.. 

Sorted

You're welcome, Olly.

I think they are always the best bet, for these sort of disasters, as they seem to keep an eye on how the money is being spent and make sure that admin costs are kept as low as reasonably possible. 

that's the most important bit for Me Bliz. .I like to know it's got a good chance of getting where it should go...

 cos I can only give a little now and then to charity due to being pretty brassic I have to make sure, if and when I give stuff, that it is going to the best places and to where it will do the most good..

just wish I had more to give sometimes. .

It's not how much money you give Olly, it's how much of yourself that you give 

I always give through the DEC for these type of appeals

awwwww that's a  lovely thing to say suzy

now I feel all for mentioning the giving thing. .but I needed the recommendations before choosing where it was going..

Olly! 

suzy is right and even a few pence can save a child's life, remember!

Yes ma'am.. anything you say ma'am

*ducks in fear of flying blizzie slap *

Don't be daft. You were asking relevant questions about where your contribution would be most useful/valued. They say money makes the world go round....but I don't think that's the be all and end all. The fact that our fellow humans' plight is in our consciousness and we feel compassion/empathy that can inspire others to find a solution is enough, sometimes 

yeah, you're just doing it for the publicity innit

Yah. I do a lot for charideeee, but I don't like to talk about it 

hahah @ you two

Well I've just been doing it for myself now and painting a bit more of my bathroom. .all for me me me me me

am knackered and shaky now tho.. heights are not good when you are bluddy dizzy all the time on the ground never mind up a couple of steps..

*collapses in heap with a  sign saying this may look like it but, it is NOT a sack of potatoes so please do not load on the lorries... this is just an old hag having a kip *

Well every penny counts..too bad only some of us are millionaires