I watched this film while I started to eat my Angus beef sandwich for lunch and almost vomited. Every time I see these people in destitute or made aware of these situations, I feel the sense of helplessness and anger and sadness wells up inside me. I know the feeling. I grew up as a baby during the post-WWII period in Japan, when my mother could not produce her own milk to feed me. But I donate my small amount of savings to the local FoodBank every year now. At least that’s my salvation and I have my wife as my “conscience” to guide me. I hope everybody else does the same. One person at a time. Look at me and all the others who survived these ordeals. We are not just chopped livers but became somewhat decent human beings (humbly) to return something gratefully to humanity in a small scale, thankful to the world that saved us.
7
More than 30 years ago, Jean Mayer, President of Tufts University wrote this,
"Hunger as a weapon is as old as the history of declared and undeclared warfare. It is a weapon that singles out the weak and helpless.
There has never been a famine or food shortage, whatever the cause, that has not first affected small children, then pregnant and nursing women and the elderly. Young men are physiologically the most resistant to starvation; armed men seldom starve.
Fifteen years ago I made a proposal at a famine symposium in Sweden: an international agreement outlawing starvation as a weapon of terror or coercion in war or civil conflict. I suggested that it incorporate an enforced agreement to permit free passage of food convoys into a famine area. The Swedish government retained the proposal and brought it to the United Nations. It has reached the point where two 1977 protocols to the Geneva Conventions include provisions to prohibit starvation of civilians as a weapon in international and noninternational armed conflicts."
Mayer proposed the Medford Accord for all countries to forbid starvation as a weapon of war - unfortunately, Mayer's noble ideas remain unfulfilled.
"Hunger as a weapon is as old as the history of declared and undeclared warfare. It is a weapon that singles out the weak and helpless.
There has never been a famine or food shortage, whatever the cause, that has not first affected small children, then pregnant and nursing women and the elderly. Young men are physiologically the most resistant to starvation; armed men seldom starve.
Fifteen years ago I made a proposal at a famine symposium in Sweden: an international agreement outlawing starvation as a weapon of terror or coercion in war or civil conflict. I suggested that it incorporate an enforced agreement to permit free passage of food convoys into a famine area. The Swedish government retained the proposal and brought it to the United Nations. It has reached the point where two 1977 protocols to the Geneva Conventions include provisions to prohibit starvation of civilians as a weapon in international and noninternational armed conflicts."
Mayer proposed the Medford Accord for all countries to forbid starvation as a weapon of war - unfortunately, Mayer's noble ideas remain unfulfilled.
12
ALL ONE HAS TO DO IS READ THE NYT . . .
...and the idea of a benevolent God or god seems so irrational. (Unless I'm missing something.)
...and the idea of a benevolent God or god seems so irrational. (Unless I'm missing something.)
4
Thank you, Nicholas Kristof, for your emotional bravery and your willingness to bear witness in these heart-wrenching situations. The difficulties of the world are complex and the solutions are debatable, but there is not doubt that without reporters like you, people like me, who live in great comfort and relative wealth in western countries, would not be challenged to find ways to find safety for threatened women, food for hungry children, and hope for those who feel they are living in hopeless situations.
12
Is there a reason the West couldn't do thequivalent of the Berlin airlift?
7
How can the civilized world, especially the United States stand by and let this happen in an area that can easily be accessed and secured.
Sadly every 3.6 seconds, someone in the world dies of starvation. but many of those are in remote areas or in places of heavy conflict. But S.Sudan is in the center of a relatively peaceful area. My prayers will only go so far. Our POTUS will be visiting next door. Will anyone inform him of this tragedy ?
Sadly every 3.6 seconds, someone in the world dies of starvation. but many of those are in remote areas or in places of heavy conflict. But S.Sudan is in the center of a relatively peaceful area. My prayers will only go so far. Our POTUS will be visiting next door. Will anyone inform him of this tragedy ?
5
In related news, John Oliver reported this week about how much food is wasted by U.S. Households. The number is shocking, but even worse, a lot of our food is simply left to rot on the ground because it's not visually appealing and therefor difficult to sell in a supermarket.
,
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to put your report, Mr. Kristof, and Mr. Oliver's together and see what needs to happen. Instead of throwing ugly peaches on the ground, send them to South Sudan!
,
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to put your report, Mr. Kristof, and Mr. Oliver's together and see what needs to happen. Instead of throwing ugly peaches on the ground, send them to South Sudan!
11
I hope people who strongly advocate unnecessary war, and who promulgate the brave, machismo & supposed romance of it, but often were never in a war, watch Kristof's video & read his editorial. The suffering people Kristof shows us should be our iconic symbols of the direct & indirect effects of warfare. I recently read descriptions of the horrific scenes seen by survivors of Hiroshima & Nagasaki. But instead the American icons of war are John Wayne crowd-pleasing films. Wayne was a fine actor but like so many others who sell the allure of war, he never served in a war.
11
Where is the United Nations food relief program in South Sudan? Please, some international organization needs to HELP, we cannot allow these unfortunate people to starve to death, CAN WE? Thank you.
10
I've just seen a responder to this article who would like relief of Sudan to start with family planning. Sorry, but that's a long-term effort. It seems to me that the first step is food! If not, zero population growth will happen, all right - from more starvation and more agony.
9
Given their independence and freedom the people squandered it all away.
6
A temporary famine or food shortage is sometimes weather or pest related (the Irish potato famine of the mid-1800's comes to mind, though it was certainly exacerbated by the actions of Great Britain). Long-term famine that yields starvation is always, but always, caused by poor, or diabolical, governance. Ukraine in the 1930's; China in the 1960's; Ethiopia in the 1980's--all can be traced to fecklessness of intentional malice on the part of government. The governmental chaos of civil war is ripe for producing famines. Read a bit of America's Civil War history--the South was, as much as anything, starved into submission.
So Kristof is exactly correct--to solve the famine and starvation in South Sudan, fix the governance. The problem is that intentionally starving a people is a time-honored means of gaining their submission to governmental authority. It's a strategy that works, so it won't be readily abandoned by the powers on the ground.
So Kristof is exactly correct--to solve the famine and starvation in South Sudan, fix the governance. The problem is that intentionally starving a people is a time-honored means of gaining their submission to governmental authority. It's a strategy that works, so it won't be readily abandoned by the powers on the ground.
17
Certainly the civil war and poor weather leading to poor harvests are contributing factors to the hunger now afflicting South Sudan.
But population growth is another factor. And population growth also contributes to the instability that leads to civil wars.
We can of course try to "blame" the men who engage in war. But blame does not feed the hungry people.
Consider population growth statistics available over the web. We find that Sudan has had population growth in excess of 2% per year. One source shows that South Sudan has population growth of 4.1% per year.
These growth rates are inconsistent with a stable society.
Any attempt to help the poor in South Sudan or in sub-Saharan Africa should begin with making family planning available including the option of safe abortions.
Rather than blame males as Kristof often does, why not do something that has the potential to eliminate human suffering from famine---provide family planning that achieves zero population growth?
But population growth is another factor. And population growth also contributes to the instability that leads to civil wars.
We can of course try to "blame" the men who engage in war. But blame does not feed the hungry people.
Consider population growth statistics available over the web. We find that Sudan has had population growth in excess of 2% per year. One source shows that South Sudan has population growth of 4.1% per year.
These growth rates are inconsistent with a stable society.
Any attempt to help the poor in South Sudan or in sub-Saharan Africa should begin with making family planning available including the option of safe abortions.
Rather than blame males as Kristof often does, why not do something that has the potential to eliminate human suffering from famine---provide family planning that achieves zero population growth?
18
Some of these same men refuse to use birth control and worse still do not allow their partners to use birth control.
It is a complex issue, building peace in the area seems to be the necessary first step; without peace, it appears like no other services can possibly get to the already starving, desperate people.
It is a complex issue, building peace in the area seems to be the necessary first step; without peace, it appears like no other services can possibly get to the already starving, desperate people.
6
That may help in the long run, but the starvation is happening now!
6
Your Malthusian blabbering, immune entirely from any critical evaluation on your own part, has become exasperating. There are other problems, equally and even more dire, besides population growth (which may or may not be an actual "problem"). But in your mind, population growth is so calamitous, so urgent, that all other problems should take a back seat to it, no matter the evidence or relevance. And the prescriptions that flow therefrom are not falsifiable; as such, these beliefs are more religious than scientific.
Your declarations are never made with even the slightest degree of uncertainty. You simply shout them as if they were handed down from Mt. Sinai and the world must accept them. Any time someone views the future's possibilities as not broad, but closing off fast (and irreversibly so), that is a recipe for a redemptive totalitarian ideology. There are pressing issues in this world, to be sure, and population growth may perhaps be one of them, but none of those issues, not even climate change, should command our sole attention to the near total exclusion of the others.
Your declarations are never made with even the slightest degree of uncertainty. You simply shout them as if they were handed down from Mt. Sinai and the world must accept them. Any time someone views the future's possibilities as not broad, but closing off fast (and irreversibly so), that is a recipe for a redemptive totalitarian ideology. There are pressing issues in this world, to be sure, and population growth may perhaps be one of them, but none of those issues, not even climate change, should command our sole attention to the near total exclusion of the others.
2
It is a shame that the cost to humans is because of greed and stupidity. We see the destruction of human life on a scale worst than this is many other areas of the world. But the South Sudan was a creation of mostly us, with the intent on exploiting the oil in that country for our benefit.
But as President Obama leaves for Africa, his emphasis on military solutions for all problems on the continent highlight the failure of his African policy. In next door Somalia, there is a great opportunity to find a negotiated solution, but we continue to fan the flames for more killings.
We as humans have failed, simply because the strong continue to abuse the weak. South Sudan and neighboring Somalia is testament to that reality..
But as President Obama leaves for Africa, his emphasis on military solutions for all problems on the continent highlight the failure of his African policy. In next door Somalia, there is a great opportunity to find a negotiated solution, but we continue to fan the flames for more killings.
We as humans have failed, simply because the strong continue to abuse the weak. South Sudan and neighboring Somalia is testament to that reality..
5
Where is the African Union? Wasn't it formed to prevent this? Where are the countries in Africa which could help? Why us? We are not the only nation on the planet. Saudi Arabia? France? Germany? Qatar? I'm not ready to make starvation in a place where it has been a problem forever a priority for the U.S. Perhaps a food drop and birth control?
6
When my mom came here from Saigon in '69, she weighed about 80 pounds.
I hope to God we elect more people to office who inspire with their social graces. They should be able to listen deeply and compassionately and able to negotiate and communication most effectively for peace.
I hope to God we elect more people to office who inspire with their social graces. They should be able to listen deeply and compassionately and able to negotiate and communication most effectively for peace.
4
What a global political opportunity for the U.S. My wish is that President Obama rallies the peace corp & other like minded organizations for support, sending food, medical care and other necessary assistance to the women (and youngsters) of South Sudan. The President should bypass the congressional mess, step in and get the job done right now.
That act alone would do more to recognize the U.S. as a force for good than all of the drones, bombs, soldiers we've deployed across the globe over the last 20+ years!
President Obama, please make us proud to be Americans, connected and sensitive to the human condition. And thank you Mr. Kristof for your reporting.
That act alone would do more to recognize the U.S. as a force for good than all of the drones, bombs, soldiers we've deployed across the globe over the last 20+ years!
President Obama, please make us proud to be Americans, connected and sensitive to the human condition. And thank you Mr. Kristof for your reporting.
3
This is a feminist issue when women & children are starving to death while limited food is allocated to men & boys. It is imperative that President Obama address this crisis during his visit to Africa, lest the intent of his visit appear to be a case of whitewashing US - Africa relations. The formation of South Sudan as a separate nation with US backing has only increased the tension in the area. China backed Sudan under the criminal & genocidal dictatorship of Al-Bashar is retaliating against South Sudan for cutting Sudan out of the oil profits. The war criminal & slaughterer, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, has accused South Sudan of funding rebels in the Darfur, South Kordofan, and Blue Nile conflicts. However President al-Bashir postponed any action to stop oil exports from South Sudan. At this time, the governments of Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda reached a deal with South Sudan to construct two oil pipelines – one from South Sudan to Kenya’s port in Lamu & the other from Rwanda to Mombasa. This ongoing suffering & genocide over oil resources could be quelled by diplomacy if the US, China, EU & the rest of Africa refused to purchase South Sudanese oil which is at the root of this horrific tragedy. Where is the international outrage especially on social media calling for action?
4
I appreciate Mr. Kristof drawing attention to crises like South Sudan but I think he should check his facts and watch the hyperbole. Poor rainfall has not been a significant driver of current food insecurity and the suggestion that something like 1988 will occur is irresponsible.
This is beyond excruciating to read about and see in the mind's eye. And population growth is predicted to increase from 7 billion to 9 billion in a few short years. That probably means an increase in wars and starvation. Thus, something that keeps nagging me is would there be an overall improvement of these dire conditions if there were a way to control population growth. In the most devastated areas, women become baby making machines regardless if there's enough to eat. When photographs appear of ravaged areas, including even refugee camps, there's always an appalling number of starving needy children. This topic might not be politically correct and also runs into some religious beliefs. Yet for the good of the planet and to reduce suffering overall and especially innocent children who didn't ask to enter the world and starve, population control should be a primary focus by the powers that be.
28
Family planning and free, available, birth control must be pushed in south sudan for the situation to change in the long run. Providing food and mental aid is never enough in countries with continuing population explosion.
11
A billion human beings lack access to clean fresh drinking water. Another billion people do not have sanitary sewer water disposal. About 800 million persons are malnourished or starving. With 60 million Earthlings currently displaced or refugees the root causes of ethnic sectarian civil war and conflict is localized and focused.
3
I'm dutifully reading this story by Nicholas Kristoff about about the latest horrible famine and I see in the sidebar "India Hick's Bahamian Rhapsody" with a well-fed, undoubtedly wealthy, and beautiful white family relaxing on their outdoor couch, enjoying their luxurious lifestyle... The Times is always about this-- the downtrodden and the fabulously rich, juxtaposed. The celebration of wealth is offensive in some contexts. Have some respect.
17
The midget minds of 'small government thinking' are ignoring the very loud footsteps of both global warming and the coming age of 'robots and artificial intelligence' that are now beginning to disrupt life as we humans know it. The problem is most evident in the places where "small government" is already firmly in place.
1
You should watch this Nick. How Churchill (colonial power Britain) deliberately enabled the Great Bengal Famine (India the jewel in the crown of British colony), by stockpiling and diverting essential grains for the rich and wealthy, leaving the countryside to starve to death. https://youtu.be/f7CW7S0zxv4
4
What NGOs or other organizations are working there that we can donate to? How can we help?
4
African Mission Healthcare Foundation, Po>Box 2783,Westerville,Ohio 43086. This was suggested address for donations to Dr. Tom Catena (an American Surgeon who runs a hospital in the Nuba Mountains all alone! by Nicholas Kristof of the NYT - in an article a few days ago about the Sudan.
2
Thank you for finding this story! If only our government would make instability in Africa a top priority. Unfortunately, I do not believe donations to the UN actually reach the people for whom they are intended. I've been reading about Israel today, and wonder what they do to directly help people in Africa, not to mention their own suffering neighbors. Or, do they only beg for money for themselves? What direct assistance does the US provide to starving Africans? Mr. Obama, please do something to help.
5
There is an old Kenyan jokes which says, "For Ethnicity X and a family of four, if there is enough food for three, the father, mother and the son eat. If there is enough food for two, the father and mother eat, and if there is enough food for one, the father eats."
7
No, what is needed is merely to instruct a starving country how to build their own medical school so they can create their own doctors to heal their sick, teach them farming skills to successfully feed all citizens.....don't give them tons of wheat, rather give them the instructions on how to do for themselves. Stop treating intelligent human beings around the world as if they are morons. God gave all men in this world intelligence.
3
The issue isn't that they need to learn farming skills...they've grown crops in South Sudan for generations. The problem (in part) is that it isn't safe to do so. Most farmers missed the planting season because they were displaced by fighting. It is heart-breaking. If the fighting stopped, the land in many parts of South Sudan is very fertile, and they could feed themselves. Politics have become deadly.
5
I think this situation and dozens more like it are tragic, and I appreciate Mr. Kristof calling the world's attention to them. I believe it is the moral duty of everyone to do whatever they can to alleviate such situations. And it is particularly frustrating when we know that the resources to feed people are available. BUT the resources to eliminate war and dysfunctional governments are not universally available. There has never been a period of human history without war and without greedy and evil people. What's different now is the whole world can fairly easily be made aware of the horrors but it is not at all easy politically or militarily to do something about it. And the relative passivity and fatalism of many of the people involved and the large culture gap between the victims and the people with the resources to address the political, military and economic problems make the problems even more difficult.
8
The US could end the war in Sudan very quickly, or at least greatly ameliorate it, through any number of means. However, the US will not, because the oligarchs and corporate interests that rule the US would not make money off such a victory. Instead, places like Sudan are left for the human rights tourists ("journalists") to make money off.
6
The 21st Century reveals once again that mankind is still living and accepting the same old tragic situations we inflict upon one another. And starvation is probably the most heinous human situation, especially in a world where is does not need to happen in such frequent and large-scale ways.
25
When a country has a stable government, manages its domestic and foreign affairs peacefully, there is no famine. Wars, rampant corruption, mismanagement all lead to disasters. In a stable country, humanitarian aid will flow and support the people to avoid famine.
It all boils down to people's decision or lack of will to take things into their own hands.
It all boils down to people's decision or lack of will to take things into their own hands.
9
Some civil wars really are about the limited carrying capacity of land colliding with competitive population growth for control of it.
13
This is somewhat on and off topic. I know you write quite a bit about trafficking of women and young girls and that is admirable. What has stricken me over the past two years is how we, the female population, is 100% discriminated against in every culture throughout all of time. The women starve while the men are fed.
Blacks, Muslims, Hispanics have all had uphill battles but it seems the one constant the entire world believes in is keeping women down. Some people don't want them educated, some can't get married or are killed by their own family for being raped, some can't get equal pay.
When you think about your wife, remember that your toiletries didn't magically appear in your clean shower, your dinner didn't magically appear on your plate, your clothes didn't magically appear in your drawers, your drs appointment wasn't magically scheduled, soccer, baseball and lacrosse wasn't magically placed on the board and her paycheck didn't magically appear on Friday afternoon. And when you think about your beautiful daughter, remember that any jerk bigger or stronger can take advantage of her and it is certainly not her fault. If anyone should be fed first, it's the women.
Blacks, Muslims, Hispanics have all had uphill battles but it seems the one constant the entire world believes in is keeping women down. Some people don't want them educated, some can't get married or are killed by their own family for being raped, some can't get equal pay.
When you think about your wife, remember that your toiletries didn't magically appear in your clean shower, your dinner didn't magically appear on your plate, your clothes didn't magically appear in your drawers, your drs appointment wasn't magically scheduled, soccer, baseball and lacrosse wasn't magically placed on the board and her paycheck didn't magically appear on Friday afternoon. And when you think about your beautiful daughter, remember that any jerk bigger or stronger can take advantage of her and it is certainly not her fault. If anyone should be fed first, it's the women.
49
"We're humans first, journalists second." If only that were the philosophy of all the world's political and religious "leaders," who spend more time figuring how to defeat one another rather than how to help. How anyone can ignore, much less cause, such tragedy is beyond me.
There is a Hebrew expression for what you do, Mr. Kristoff: Tikkun olam. It means to heal the world, which is the responsibility of every human. I wish more people took that responsibility as seriously as you do.
There is a Hebrew expression for what you do, Mr. Kristoff: Tikkun olam. It means to heal the world, which is the responsibility of every human. I wish more people took that responsibility as seriously as you do.
33
What can we do to help?
4
Are there aid organizations that one can donate to that are effective in fighting this famine?
More importantly, what effort can We make, that will not be highjacked by governments, men, military, religious sects, etc.?
3
This story is frightening and cries out for a solution. War is not one of them.
4
Mr. Kristof is exactly right that food is not the answer to this famine -- peace and stability are. But that should not cloud the fact that until South Sudan finds peace, people do need food. The United States and other wealthy nations need a two-pronged approach: to press the leaders of South Sudan to end their senseless war while helping the innocent victims of that violence with emergency assistance -- including ensuring the security of that aid and the people who deliver it. Kiir and Machar, the leaders of the warring groups, should be the ones starving, not the people of South Sudan who just want to get on with their lives, with building this new nation.
39
And meanwhile here in America we have one of the most useless Congresses in recent memory. I'm sometimes amazed that other nations look to the United States as some sort of moral or economic authority. We have lost our way.
I feel for the people starving everywhere in the world. And we have plenty of hunger right here in the United States.
We humans need to get our priorities in order.
I feel for the people starving everywhere in the world. And we have plenty of hunger right here in the United States.
We humans need to get our priorities in order.
23
Thank you for shining a spotlight on this desperate country
and bringing attention to the needs of starving women and children. We throw so much food away in America, we should feel ashamed of ourselves.
and bringing attention to the needs of starving women and children. We throw so much food away in America, we should feel ashamed of ourselves.
7
I agree. And since the majority religion of this nation is some form of Christianity, whose basic tenets are "FEED the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter strangers, visit prisoners", we should particularly ashamed of not feeding our fellow Americans.
As for the mindless cruelty and ruthlessness of Africa, I have no suggestions at all. This is the basic behavior of men. The best we can hope to do is send some money to pay for food for those women and their children. Some of it may finally make it's way to the women and children.
As for the mindless cruelty and ruthlessness of Africa, I have no suggestions at all. This is the basic behavior of men. The best we can hope to do is send some money to pay for food for those women and their children. Some of it may finally make it's way to the women and children.
Dear Mr. Kristof, I observe and respect your suggestions that "an international push of diplomacy" and "sanctions to reach compromised peace" would help the starving women and children of Sudan BUT I would also add that thoughtful and respectful encouragement of birth control would help Sudan and the world, in general.
15
This comment is so very true. Until we humans begin to limit our population growth, we will never win this war on starvation.
2
War is what causes famine not drought. People find a way to survive given peace and some stability. What is needed is a caring government. How many more mothers and children have to starve and die before this senseless violence stops?
For once, can the international community come together and help the people of South Sudan? For starters, I think South Sudanese predatory politicians need to be dealt with. You can be sure that they and their families are safe and well fed while Nyanjok Garang and her children pay with their lives.
Can we for once use the resources and mobilization we use for war to instead end the unfolding tragedy in South Sudan? It will take a small fraction of what we spend for war to stop this. Thank you Nicholas for your gallant effort and using the NY Times platform for such a noble cause.
For once, can the international community come together and help the people of South Sudan? For starters, I think South Sudanese predatory politicians need to be dealt with. You can be sure that they and their families are safe and well fed while Nyanjok Garang and her children pay with their lives.
Can we for once use the resources and mobilization we use for war to instead end the unfolding tragedy in South Sudan? It will take a small fraction of what we spend for war to stop this. Thank you Nicholas for your gallant effort and using the NY Times platform for such a noble cause.
19
Nicholas,
You bring light to the dark side of men.
This problem like all of the world's problems are the result of our, that is men's not women's, inability or more likely unwillingness to deal with the reality of life. We as men create problems where none exist and avoid them where they are actually rife.
Our outlook stems from the fact we rely on our bodies rather than our minds to see and solve problems and until we admit the truth of this we always find or make up an excuse to kill without compunction. We have to call each other out when the conversation moves in that direction. We have to mature and accept women as our respected equals or superiors. We have to accept and affirm life. We have to accept and respect ourselves.
As men we do not bring life into the world so we exercise the only power we have which is to visit death on our neighbors. We men have a terrible flaw and we have to change.
Women create and we destroy.
We have to stop killing.
You bring light to the dark side of men.
This problem like all of the world's problems are the result of our, that is men's not women's, inability or more likely unwillingness to deal with the reality of life. We as men create problems where none exist and avoid them where they are actually rife.
Our outlook stems from the fact we rely on our bodies rather than our minds to see and solve problems and until we admit the truth of this we always find or make up an excuse to kill without compunction. We have to call each other out when the conversation moves in that direction. We have to mature and accept women as our respected equals or superiors. We have to accept and affirm life. We have to accept and respect ourselves.
As men we do not bring life into the world so we exercise the only power we have which is to visit death on our neighbors. We men have a terrible flaw and we have to change.
Women create and we destroy.
We have to stop killing.
12
Another politically created calamity where non-combatants gratuitously suffer and die. My heart aches for these people. Putting "faces-on" individuals who represent some 21,000 people who die each day for lack of food is, without doubt, extraordinarily important news. Perhaps the NYTimes could devote more space and significance to Nick's effort instead of reporting Donald Trump's daily antics.
27
I have found myself listening to "We Are the World" for the past few days. This pattern of war, famine, and drought seems to be a recurring pattern. I can see how each crisis deserves its own specific remedy. But my personal frustration is that we don't address whatever the underlying currents are that produce these hot spots of misery, currents that have to do with power and friction I suspect. I am used to people thinking that being focused on a basic level of human mental hygiene individual by individual is a waste of time (I myself don't believe it's an either/or proposition, BTW -- rather, I think we can address currents and hot spots at multiple levels simultaneously), but I think we do doom ourselves to the same results if we do the same things over and over again.
1
It may be a byproduct of war but a lot of time starvation is the weapon of war. This is a real WMD from which the attacked, very often children, suffer a slow painful death
20
Starvation is common in real wars. It isn't just Sudan.
It happened all over Europe in WW2 before that was over. Same in WW1. East India lost millions in famine in WW2, from food supply interruptions traced to the war and the choices of combatants.
That has been true for centuries.
We in the US don't think of war that way, because it hasn't been OUR experience of war. Even saying that forgets people starving in the South, moving away to find food, by the end of the Civil War.
Starvation isn't an argument against THIS war. It is an argument against WAR. Real serious wars turn into this. It doesn't even need to be long or especially big, see Yemen today.
The starvation problem is, in the words Americans wrote into the Japanese Constitution, the use of force to settle international disputes. It comes to this. Often.
It happened all over Europe in WW2 before that was over. Same in WW1. East India lost millions in famine in WW2, from food supply interruptions traced to the war and the choices of combatants.
That has been true for centuries.
We in the US don't think of war that way, because it hasn't been OUR experience of war. Even saying that forgets people starving in the South, moving away to find food, by the end of the Civil War.
Starvation isn't an argument against THIS war. It is an argument against WAR. Real serious wars turn into this. It doesn't even need to be long or especially big, see Yemen today.
The starvation problem is, in the words Americans wrote into the Japanese Constitution, the use of force to settle international disputes. It comes to this. Often.
59
What’s really needed in South Sudan (and everywhere else) is love for our neighbors and other human beings.
Love for the people around us will stop atrocities and the civil war.
Peace will bring prosperity and eradicate famine.
But everything starts with love...