I read a very interesting article about international food aid today. I’ll provide an abridged version.
When America donates food aid there’s a directive that says it has to be in American produced food & not in cash. Basically the food is grown in America, & paid for by the American government, which in turn benefits the American farm industry.
The food is then flown to third-world countries, for example in Africa where the food is given out for free serving to undercut the local food producers & seriously undermine their self sustainability.
As a result, the nation that received the food aid finds itself lacking in ability to produce its own food, and has to depend increasingly upon aid from developed nations while spending what’s left of their state budget on imported food.
There is a better way. Canada for instance gives out 50% of their aid in cash, which can then be invested into the local farming industry.
President Bush unsuccessfully petitioned Congress to allow the United States to also deliver some of its aid in the form of cash, but both Republican & Democratic Congressmen stymied its progress. What we’re left with are farm subsidies disguised as aid.
In conclusion, the food aid meant to lessen humanitarian crises in developing nations, actually does the opposite & aggravates the situation. And that’s not right.
