Africa is far too often neglected in Western media, not least because it has 'very little do with us'; the widespread conflict deserves a bigger voice in order to receive the help that it requires. South Sudan is one such crisis, in addition to those in Burundi and DRC, that has been whispered by Western media rather than being shouted out as a crisis in need of a solution. In being the youngest country in the world, there is all the more reason for us to help.
Yes the solution is complex, but that is no reason for the Western world to neglect a humanitarian disaster and devote such a small proportion of GDP to aid. Again, lessons are to be learnt from Scandinavia who devote more of their GDP to aid, and yet still have outperforming domestic economies. Issues always arise on the topic of foreign aid with regard to where this aid and financial support actually ends up - some would argue it ends up in the hands of dictators which then pass it into their Swiss bank accounts. This is a discussion for another day. The point to make is that although there may be doubts over foreign aid, when there is a humanitarian crisis involved it is a different situation - one which needs to be addressed.
Politically, the Western world can do very little to resolve the governmental differences in South Sudan however it can provide the people - those who are helpless - with the support that they need. At the very least, Western media should inform us Westerners of these crises so that we can attempt to empathise with those who have been afflicted. Empathy, and any resulting sympathy, is the very least we should do.
The link below - a rarity - is one that takes a different perspective on the South Sudanese crisis: photos of the South Sudanese people seeking freedom.
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/gallery/2016/jul/01/south-sudan-fifth-birthday-written-on-the-body-messages-peace-loss-unity
Yes the solution is complex, but that is no reason for the Western world to neglect a humanitarian disaster and devote such a small proportion of GDP to aid. Again, lessons are to be learnt from Scandinavia who devote more of their GDP to aid, and yet still have outperforming domestic economies. Issues always arise on the topic of foreign aid with regard to where this aid and financial support actually ends up - some would argue it ends up in the hands of dictators which then pass it into their Swiss bank accounts. This is a discussion for another day. The point to make is that although there may be doubts over foreign aid, when there is a humanitarian crisis involved it is a different situation - one which needs to be addressed.
Politically, the Western world can do very little to resolve the governmental differences in South Sudan however it can provide the people - those who are helpless - with the support that they need. At the very least, Western media should inform us Westerners of these crises so that we can attempt to empathise with those who have been afflicted. Empathy, and any resulting sympathy, is the very least we should do.
The link below - a rarity - is one that takes a different perspective on the South Sudanese crisis: photos of the South Sudanese people seeking freedom.
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/gallery/2016/jul/01/south-sudan-fifth-birthday-written-on-the-body-messages-peace-loss-unity