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Act Now on Somalia Before It’s Too Late

Ben Austwick is appalled at the way the media ignores the growing famine crisis in Somalia.

By Ben Austwick

20 Jul 2011, 10:13

As the world expresses shock and outrage at an old man having a plate of foam shoved in his face by a self-proclaimed comedian, a real world crisis is going on more or less unnoticed. Obviously a journalist committing criminal acts and policemen accepting bribes are shocking to vast sections of society, but is it really more newsworthy than a famine in Somalia?

It is expected that the UN will shortly declare the crisis in parts of Somalia as a famine – a word used very occasionally and reserved for the most serious and desperate crises. Aid agencies have stated that they can’t reach roughly 1 million people and unless something is done shortly, thousands upon thousands more will die.

The drought is a result of two exceptionally dry rainy seasons coupled with the huge price rise of food in the area, as it is around the world. The Times reports that a staple crop has risen by 240pct in the last year alone and with the heat killing both their animals and arable produce it’s easy to see how this crisis has occurred.

The UK is actually leading the way on charitable donations with £15m raised by charities and roughly £25m donated directly from the international aid budget, but where is the media exposure? It’s hidden under ‘World News’ on the BBC and The Times’ websites, hidden entirely on the Daily Mail and even the Guardian has relegated it to their specialist section. Let us hope that the UN declaring it a famine will be the wake-up call needed for people and their governments worldwide to send help before it gets even worse.

You can donate to the DEC appeal HERE.