I have an interesting question about world poverty and hunger. Would like educated answers?

Question

What is the one thing ALL poor nations have in common? Two things: Poverty and lack of jobs. It is also true that the smaller the country, the higher percentage of poverty and lack of jobs.
The United Nations and other countries donate BILLIONS of dollars every year to aid in the problem, but it continues to get worse. Why? Because throwing money at the problem does not solve anything. It does not teach family planning, it does not educate, it does not create jobs. (Okay, it may help a little, but not nearly enough the make any difference)
It does not seem to me to be rocket science that continually having 4,5,6 or even 10 children per woman only compounds the problem in these countries.
While I do not mind some of my tax dollars going to help on occation, we are now encouraging dependancy of the poor nations on us and the UN. The problem will only get worse.

How should we go about correcting this problem? Throwing money at it will not work indefinately.

Answer 1

You have been getting some good answers here - and certainly the issue over mass birth rate is one which needs careful thought.

It sometimes seems that as soon as the poverty level of just one small community is "rescued" but some international aid program - then thee appears to be mass birth increases until a few years down the line, the poverty level has been restored.

There is one other HUGE point which no one else has yet made. It is not in the interests of charities like Oxfam etc to eradicate poverty. These are MUTLI-BILLION pound/dollar organizations with massive infrastructures (and administrative costs). If they do their job to well they have no jobs.........

A friends of mine who was working on some private relief projects in Sri Lanka a few years back was appalled at how the 7 figures sum allocated to two of the "better known" charities essential covered their air conditioned offices, range rovers, air travel and banquets (to get to know the local dignitaries). As for ACTUAL WORK DONE, they built a building which was actually too small to be of use as a school - and a well which didn't work because they dug it at about the highest point in the area - because that would be convenient.

His budget was < £10,000 and the rest he raised himself. When he had finished, they had built several new municipal buildings including a medical center, school and community center - which is used for adult learning as well as a "bartering point".

If you asked the local dignitaries, he was a "problem", didn't grease the right hands, didn't pay bribes very well - and created a real stink when things were being held up for the sake of things. The other two charities of course were regarded as being excellent examples of International AID helping their communities.

If you asked the REAL people in SL who made the difference though, they would have answered differently.

My point is, when only about 5% of donations raised in the UK and USA for the main charities actually get spent on REAL things in the destination country, you can be neither surprised that the money does not go far, NOT surprised that they are in no great tush to cheat themselves out of a job.

£20 will buy a goat for this family will it? No, in fact you need to donate around £400, of which £380 will be spent on "administrative and strategic / logistic costs" - and £20 will be given over to buy a goat.

But the public are WAY to trusting and good natured - and the sign of a crying child will get everyone donating - "it would be wrong not to" - just be aware that around 95% of your donation is used to pay staff, staff accommodation, perks, bonus, salaries, entertainment expenses, sundry expense and bribes. The £5 you just decided to donate each week actually means about 25p will be handed over to the person who really needs it. £4.75 funds the "business".

This is one of the reason why "throwing money at it" doesn't work - only about a twentieth of the money gets through!

Answer 2

Unfortunately I think impoverished nations often go hand in hand with corrupt government officials... so even if foreign governments and charities do donate aid, it may end up in the pockets and palaces of the few fat cats instead of helping those it is intended for.

I think organisations such as child sponsorship charities do a better job of helping improve quality of life than governments do - at least they are working at grassroots level and trying to improve health and education, which are the first big problems that prevent people improving their situation.

I guess if poverty were an easy problem to solve, it wouldn't have got so big in the first place.

Answer 3

Poor nations are often agricultural countries. They have 4+ children to tend the field for survival. If they have say 1 kid and that kid dies then the aging parents will find it difficult to survive. The UN money you talk about are actually bribes for trade agreements. Jobs are of less value in this type of society because they are self-sufficient or provide specialized services within a small community.

Answer 4

The answer for the problems of the world is people having more empaty to each other and work to help each other instead of competing wich each other in order to please the 10% of people that own 90% percent of the land and riches. Instead of relying on religion or not religion and of governments that have sold out a long time ago. Each of us must work toward equality and education. As long as we fight between ourselves the real enemies will continue manipulating us. Those enemies are the 10% of people that control us by means of ignorance, and selfishness.

Answer 5

Yes i Agree, i live in australia and we have a great lifestly here. I think by throwin money at these places and giving them food insnt helping nearly as much as we say it does, i believe it makes the problem worse. 3rd world countried need to be tought more about safe sex and diseases to stop from getting AIDS and other diseases. The best way to help these people would be to foster one child and bring them to a wealthy country to give them the best live possible, by giving money to all the people you are making little or no difference, best keep to the status quo. its sad but i think its true

Answer 6

They should be initiating education programmes on survival and managing their environment,they have always had these problems,but they are highlighted more because of modern day technology ,IE TV ,computers,radio,etc.The charities should work to give them clean water,seeds and plants to grow their food,gardening tools,materials for clothes,medicines and doctors/schools for the children, adult education.This will help them with skills for work.Help them to build better houses and village enviroments.

Answer 7

All poor nations havn`t been developed blame the global warming fad for keeping Africa poor and killing millions with there desire for a medieval planet

Answer 8

Give a man a fish - feed him for the day. Teach a man to fish - feed him for life. Nuff said?

Answer 9

Is that you Bono?
Your last album was s hit