Feeding the Children?
Posted: Saturday, August 06, 2011
by Jack H. Schick
The world had poured billions of dollars of aid into Somalia over the past few years. Governmental instability, poverty and a severe drought has nearly finished the ongoing destruction of the East African nation. Sometimes the conditions there make you want to cry, other times it makes you want to go over there and slap some sense into some people. But, of course we’ve already tried that, and it didn’t do anyone any good.
The United Nations World Food Program representatives and other aid groups struggle to distribute food and necessities to the starving and displaced. The effort is extremely frustrating and dangerous in the anarchic country that has suffered a never-ending cycle of violence for decades.
Friday at Badbaado, a pathetic, squalid makeshift camp that is home to over 30,000 refugees, UN officials were attempting to distribute food when gunfire broke out. “At least ten people died and 15 others were wounded. I’m lucky that my family is safe,” said Aliyow Hussein, refugee father of three who was waiting in line for food. “I do not know where I’m heading to. I’m running for my life.” The truckloads of food never reached the intended recipients.
Government troops opened fire on the crowd of thousands shortly after distribution had begun. They then looted the trucks, unloading them onto wheelbarrows and into minibuses, and took the food and supplies away with them. Citizens from other parts of the city finished emptying the trucks, carrying off sacks of food on their shoulders. Many refugees fled the area, but there is really nowhere to go.
I feel bad that people must starve to death when I live with such plenty. I waste enough food in a week to feed Aliyow Hussein’s family. They would be welcome to stay in my spare bedroom, with an air conditioner and a TV. I could easily afford to take them to McDonald’s every Saturday evening and treat them to a Happy Meal. I would gladly do it, but I cannot. Events like Friday make me wonder. Is all our effort worth it? Are we throwing good money after bad? Sometimes I feel like crying, but sometimes I fell like slapping some people around. But, does either do anyone any good?
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