Over the past 5 yrs 4 million killed in Conga Africa - why are we doing nothing?

Question

120 000 children die from curable disease
3.7 million refugees
The world watches as it's resources - copper, iron ore, diamond are pillaged
Why is it that lesser travesties can attract so much more attention and immediate action?
Perhaps it's because, there is no oil and it's a poor country.

I'm Australian - I'm using the "WE" as inclusive for everyone including Australia, Britain, Europe UN and America

Answer 1

First of all, I think you mean the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The short answer is: The Media. The media and its perverse use of communication to the masses and the fact that our government uses the media as its primary source of information to decide what issues are "hot topics" and which are not.

Pair this with the fact that the American government cares more about countries for who we have some sort of stake in its success or failure. So in this respect, your statement that it is because there is no oil and they are a poor country is not too far from being off the mark.

Also, it is important to understand the complete history of the Congo, which was at one time under Belgian rule between 1908 and 1960. During World War II, Congo supplied the Uranium used to make the atomic bombs that were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. When the Belgian Government left, nearly 50 years of political strife, civil war, and general neglect of the people ensued. One could argue that the problems started with Joseph-Désiré Mobutu, who was firmly against communism and a cold-war ally of the United States. However, during his time as leader, he was accused of many human rights violations. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, relations cooled between the US and Congo because the US lost its incentive to support the Congo as an anti-communist ally.

Since 1996, The Democratic Republic of Congo (once called Zaire) has experienced nearly a decade of war and civil unrest. Much of the dissent has to do with the flood of refugees from the Rwandan Genocide crisis. Another issue is the ethnic problems between the Agriculturist Lendu and Pastoral Hema within the Ituri region of Congo. Back in the days of Belgian colonialism, the Hema were seen to be more "sophisticated" and gained special preference which created a strong economic and educational divide. These tensions boiled, until the conflict reached a breaking point in the mid-Nineties after the flood of Rwandan refugees invaded the territories occupied by the Hema and Lendu, which were already in conflict over land issues.

The American government is less to blame for its non-involvement than humanitarian peace keepers such as the United Nations. Other aiding organizations that should be held responsible are the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. These two entities make up the majority of monetary and humanitarian aid. The United States supports both the IMF and the World Bank, so in essence, the American Government is not turning its cheek completely on the situation.

Finally, let's not forget that there are many Americans who make trips to Africa to help the people. It has to start with one person to make a significant difference. We cannot rely on our government, which is inherently selfish in structure, to solve all of the world's problems. The best cure for a failed human condition is for humans to stand up and do something about it. Take some action. Donate to the One.org foundation or contact your local sister cities association and get involved. My city now has a sister city in Ukraine and one in Africa. We travel to these countries up to three times per year with hundreds of pounds of medical supplies, food, and learning materials for the children. If you feel that nothing is being done, then don't sit there and expect anything to be done when you are not doing anything yourself.

Answer 2

No. They do not feel the sense like we humans do. This is because we have a central nervous system running through our vertebra (backbone) which sends messages to our brain. This means that if if our leg is hurt, we feel the pain at the top brain. On the other hand, the insects are non-vertebra and they do not have central nervous system. Thus if an ant's leg is crushed, only the leg will feel local pain. Moreover, their pain magnitude is short, since they produce large number of off springs and their life is short. They can also reproduce their lost organs. It has been observed that if you cut a cockroach's head, it will die after a month due to starving. Scientists have cut a lobster's leg and feed him, which he ate. It is also true that except for human beings no other animal is aware of its existence.

Answer 3

Sadly people die in this fashion all the time.

The worlds police force (i.e., the Unites States, Great Britain, and Canada) can only handle so many of these at once (oil or no oil).

Perhaps you should lobby your government for more military spending so it can share (or increase its share) in being part of the world police force. This way atrocities such as this can be stopped just as they have been in Kosovo, Iraq, Germany, etc., etc., etc.. over the years.

Answer 4

The US is not the world's policeman, though many people want us to be. We are already too involved with the problems of the world and we have too much on our plate now. Iraq, Korea, Israel, Iran, Kosovo, China are all trouble spots that we are investing money and where we are putting troops. Enough already!

Why not ask the black billionaires in our country to do something about it as well as all the rich rappers and athletes.

Answer 5

It's unfortunate the tragedies of these countries but when was the United States elected the police of world and designated the caretakers of everyone elses problems. We can't even take care of our own.

Answer 6

First people cry we aren't the police of the world and have no business getting involved with another countries problems, Now it's why aren't we doing anything? Which is it and why is one country more excusable than another?

Answer 7

We can't police our own borders, let alone police the World. If you will study the History of Mankind on this planet, you will see that things like this unfortunately do happen. .....P.S. History shows over 100 million have been killed because of religion/sectarian violence and no one is supposed to talk about it.

Answer 8

The purpose of government is to protect the rights of its people: Defense, Police, Courts. Feel free to go help them, but as for "we", I assume you mean using government money to do it with; it's not yours to give.

Congo suffers heavily from Malaria; blame the eco-movement (Rachel Carson) and the EPA for banning DDT. They have blood on their hands.

Answer 9

WE!?

Don't you mean why isn't the U.N. doing anything.

They are the "worlds peacekeepers", so why do they do nothing. Right now we do not have the resources, but the rest of the U.N. does, yet they sit on their hands.

Take your question to them.

Much of Africa is in turmoil and it would take a global effort to have any effect, but it seems the U.S. is the only country that is expected to do anything and it is WRONG!

Answer 10

It is a matter of our own national best interest. We are not the world's police force. That job is supposed to be performed by the United Nations. I have no idea why they are not addressing it.

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