Famine Crimes: Politics & the Disaster Relief Industry in Africa - Softcover

De Waal, Alex

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0253211581 ISBN 13: 9780253211583

Publisher: Indiana University Press, 2009

Synopsis

"A powerful critique of the international humanitarian agencies dominating famine relief in Africa." —Foreign Affairs

"This is unquestionably an important book by a writer whose accomplishments as a researcher, critic and activist on famine and on human rights in Africa are widely respect." —International Affairs

"... de Waal pleads for readers... to probe for a deeper understanding of the ‘political roots of famine’... " —WorldView

"... a well-documented critique that should give pause for serious reflection and serve to instruct both the initiate and the master of famine theory... " —Sociocultural Anthropology

 Famine Crimes is a factually rich, powerfully intelligent, morally important analysis of the persistence of famine in Africa. Alex de Waal lays the blame for Africa’s problems with starvation on the political failings of African governments, western donors, and the misguided policies of international relief agencies.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

Famine is preventable. The persistence of famine reflects political failings by African governments, western donors and international relief agencies. Can Africa avoid famine? When freedom from famine is a basic right or a political imperative, famine is prevented. Case studies from Ethiopia to Botswana demonstrate African successes - but they are often not acknowledged or repeated. Who is responsible for the failures? African generals and politicians are the prime culprits for creating famines in Sudan, Somalia and Zaire, but western donors abet their authoritarianism, partly through imposing structural adjustment programmes. What is the role of International relief agencies? Despite prodigious expenditure and high public profile, relief agencies often do more harm than good. From Biafra to Rwanda, relief has helped to fuel war and undermine democratic accountability. As the influence and resources of UN agencies and NGOs have grown, the chances for effective local solutions have diminished. What is the way forward? Humanitarian intervention and other high-profile relief operations have failed. Progress lies in bringing the fight against famine into democratic politics, and calling to account those guilty of creating famine.

About the Author:

Alex de Waal is co-director of African Rights, London

About this edition

• Publisher: Indiana University Press
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0253211581
• ISBN 13: 9780253211583
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 256