The White House Press Secretary issued a statement on President Obama's approval of additional relief funds for the Horn of Africa Famine on August 8, 2011. The Press Secretary said: "Amid the worst drought in East Africa in 60 years, the United Nations has declared that famine now affects five regions in Somalia and predicts that famine could soon expand throughout southern Somalia. Thousands of Somalis are fleeing the famine and seeking refuge in Kenya and Ethiopia, which are also affected by the drought. According to the United Nations, more than 12.4 million people in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. "Today, on behalf of the U.S. Government and the American people, the President has approved an additional $105 million for urgent humanitarian relief efforts in the Horn of Africa, including funds from his Emergency Relief and Migration Assistance Fund. This year alone, the U.S. has provided approximately $565 million in humanitarian assistance. U.S. assistance will continue funding the urgently needed food, health, shelter, water and sanitation assistance to those who desperately need help." You can view a transcript of the statement here.
Comments
Comments
Samuel in Texas writes:
“If you give food to the poor, they call you a saint. If you ask why the poor have no food, they call you a Communist.â€
~Manuel Alcántara
Aitee in Nigeria writes:
I want to recommend president Obama for this gesture, it really shows that United States is still the world power. Giving of relief materials shouldn't be a thing of United states alone, its something other countries of the world should do, especially, those that are well to do...
I think that this provides a detailed explanation for those thinking that U.S.A. is not an AAA. America feeds the world!
And still, it’s the biggest economy and "idea" in the Globe!
An old friend –Joe in TN- has written in the past that the United States of America feed 80% of the world.
Eric in NM has written that “plenty of countries owe U.S. plenty of things†(in my words).
They are both right!
The President too!
We still believe in America!
Go!
John in Iowa writes:
How do we have money to help Africa (even though they need it), and not our own U.S. citizens? I get $1,013.00 a month in disability and Iowa Dept of Human Services shut off my medicaid because I make too much money. My prescriptions total up to be $862.65 each month, that leaves me $$150.35 a month to pay for groceries for my kids and I, pay auto insurance, and try to find my own place to live. Yet we have money for Africa and other countries being hit by various catastrophes? I don't understand.
Eric in New Mexico writes:
It's always been my opinion that a successful inter-agency approach to resolving humanitarian crisis is prefaced with the intent of working USAID right out of a job,...globally. Barring natural disasters of course.
Where peace resides, prosperity flourishes.
---
"Change we can live with"
It seems folks have institutionalized,
compar-te-mentalized, ratified, and prioritized
by lowest common consensus of the international community,
the crimes we see befall humanity.
Treating symptoms, saving lives,
requires of us more than fiscal empathy.
For the human condition,
if one has bothered to check on it lately;
be withness then to the show that never ends.
So suffer not one's attachements
to the Four Nobel Truths;
Suffering, the cause of suffering
the process of suffering, the end of suffering.
To find solution to these things
is like grasping your true nature,
where you least expect it to reside.
Some say it's all about the money,
a token gesture of concern,
a hundred million be a drop in the bucket
when no flood be forthcoming to fill it.
Here ye! here ye!
those of, by, and for the international community,
The people seek change we can live with.
For to you is given the future of civilization,
to hold in your hand like a butterfly.
The realization of the outstreched hand
that rests upon;
is not in the wrong or what's right in flight,
political considerations nor the like,
but in the doing what you do
knowing what the lessons from history do
to repeat themselves in a closed fist.
Points of pressure applied to open
too late for the closing,
all is left is to treat the injured,
one wing flapping.
When the spasm of closure
be brought upon by terminal illness
you haven't treated the symtoms
of a distinct lack of empathy.
To what we define as a tactic,
terrorism is simply that lacking
in the doing.
Or they wouldn't do what they do.
So what ya'all going to do about that,
that ain't worth the risk involved
to seek change we can live with,
when "all neccessary measures" be mandated?
Too little to late when you'all knew this was coming,
To what do we owe this,
save a distinct lack of listening on the part of ethical infants,
Condemnations alone ring hollow
in the ears of the dead,
and in the minds of those bearing witness.
What then do we wish to create for ourselves as reality on this planet,
now and for our children's, and their children's future in the knowing,
love is a butterfly, not a battlefield.
change be then not viewed with suspicion,
as a threat to culture and ways of tradition
and the ethical belief systems civilization rests upon;
abandoned at birth as not being in the public's interest,
addicted to the staus quo of the Four Nobel Truths.
Away with that!
Give us change we can live with.
EJ
Zharkov in the U.S.A. writes:
Giving away borrowed money - it's news like this that gives China nightmares.
Are there no rich OPEC members in the Middle East or Africa who want to see these starving people survive?
Sue in New Zealand writes:
That is an absurdly small amount of money... Oh, I forgot, life is so hard in the US right now. C'mon guys.
Patrick in Maryland writes:
I Hope things get better for the people of East Africa.
Harry in the U.S.A. writes:
maybe all of the world can chip in food and bottled water.
Harry in the U.S.A. writes:
what ever happened to organizing concerts to help people it worked with aid apartied and alot of other issues or maybe some people dont think its godly because they cant controll the wealth it brings?
Harry in the U.S.A. writes:
funny thing the communist dont beleive in letting people share there thoughts either.
Mala in Georgia writes:
There is nothing NOTHING int he united state ( i don't care where you live or what you've been through) that compares to what somalis are experiencing this very moment. When you are trekking some thousands of miles to find food (not worthless crap)_-then I'll be happy to hear your argument against funding. Until then..get over yourself!
Brian in Wisconsin writes:
"Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need." 1 Timothy 5:3
Most American's are really not in need. I suggest you travel and see before complaining about the free thousands of dollars you are getting. Most cultures in East African have a difficult time for asking for assistance (not a cultural norm). A good year is making $100 for them. They don't feel they are entitled to a handout. I think it's great that our country can offer a helping hand-up!!
Zharkov in the U.S.A. writes:
Most Saudis are also not really in need.
OPEC is not really in need.
Does anyone read the news here?
"OPEC announces record oil sales";
"Saudis pump most oil in 30 years, boosting OPEC output, says IEA";
"Gas exports will keep Qatar economy strong, says Moody's""Abu Dhabi's net profit surges";
"UAE expenditure on IT products and services to reach US$3.5 billion in 2011";
"Kuwait's profit rises fourfold";
"Bahrain is most expensive in the Middle East for construction";
"Oman non-oil exports surge 32%";
"BP may invest US$15 billion in Oman gas fields"
Again, why is it that the US has to spend China's money to feed Somalians?
John in Iowa writes:
On the channel 13 news last night was a story of an Indianola, Iowa soldier who was wounded in combat and has ptsd who is unable to pay his mortgage for July and August and the business he operates isn't do well because of his injuries and now the mortgage lender has foreclosed on his home and business. Plus the transmission went out on his truck two days ago. WHERE IS HIS AID???? He served our country and suffered injuries, and this is how he is repaid? HELP OUR SOLDIERS FIRST!
John P. in Greece writes:
@ Zharkov in the U.S.A.
Can you define us what “China’s money†means?
Chinese economy is 95% based on contraband and smuggled emporium.
Do you think we owe them?
They owe US!
Chinese "band" should start rethinking the “top dog†role they are trying to play, because we all know the real truth about their economy and the way they fantasize democracy.
We don’t take lessons from “pre-schoolâ€.
Concernong OPEC, I don't expect any help from the region. Only WEST can help!