We shouldn’t turn our backs on Africa

ACCORDING to Doctors Without Borders, 37.7% of children assessed in the Horn of Africa are suffering from acute malnutrition and 17.5% of those are at a high risk of death.

Michael Moriarty (Letters, July 16) remarks that the Irish Government has increased its aid to the Horn of Africa and writes that the problems in this area are compounded by “governments who support their personal lavish lifestyles in addition to spending substantial amounts on weapons and military equipment”. He concludes that “charity begins at home and our government must ensure their priority to assist the people of Ireland”.

Accepting that the people of Ireland have seen their economic situation decline drastically in the past couple of years and accepting that indeed the Irish Government’s priority is to the people of Ireland, is it fair to ask that in this context our aid to the Horn of Africa should not be increased? Also accepting that governments in Africa may be corrupt, is this any reason to not increase aid and continue to allow millions to die of starvation? As much as the Irish people have seen their own personal wealth decline, our situation cannot compare to that of the Horn of Africa nor should it be reason to turn our backs on those most in need.