Omar Faruk/Reuters
A severely-malnourished boy resting inside a makeshift tent at a refugee camp near Mogadishu, Somalia.
A dire famine in East Africa has caught the attention of the White House. They are loosing up some restrictions on organizations to help the severely drought-stricken area. The U.N. says more than 11 million people in the region need food assistance, and tens of thousands have already died from starvation.
Somalia has been the hardest hit. But not much help has been getting to people on the ground because of the al-Qaeda-linked militant group, al-Shabab, which controls large portions of the country. They’ve been preventing aid from reaching the hungry, threatening to kill aid workers and taking bribes on supplies.
However great the intentions, any aid groups who dealt with al-Shabab, say by paying those bribes, violated U.S. sanctions banning material support to designated terrorist organizations.
Looking to create more flexibility, the White House wants “to provide a wider range of aid to a larger number of areas in need,” spokesperson Jay Carney said today. “This new guidance should help clarify that aid workers who are partnering with the U.S. government to help save lives under difficult and dangerous conditions are not in conflict with U.S. laws and regulations.”
Last Word viewers have already helped change the lives of thousands of kids in Malawi through the K.I.N.D. fund. If you’re interested in donating to this cause, the New York Times curated a list of charitable organizations. Check it out:
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Heartbreaking..
I just can't help but feeling like she was just looking for a handout. It felt really weird watching her say "we need millions for these kids! I would feel better about giving if I knew what she made as the CEO of UNICEF. I bet it's more than I do and I'm a nurse.
Steve - a cynical American looking for a justification to keep his wallet in his pocket. News flash ..... she WAS looking for a handout - a very important handout
I dont like politicizing this tragedy but if repubs keep voting in tea baggers you can count on this country looking just like East Africa.
Shows over politics to get you upset are in another forum. Just shut and open your wallet.
I agree with you joca41. I am donating, unfortunately, not as much as I would like because I am helping so many friends & family who can't find work now. What will happen to us when the middle class disappears? We need jobs & health ins so we can keep helping others who don't have a fair governing system, like I thought we had. A system to help us, after the rich hedge fund people got us in to the mess we are in. We should always help each other & others who are not as fortunate because that's what makes us a great country.
How sad. We should help. I didn't feel she was asking for a handout for those,very sick people. My family will send a contribution. I would also like to say , the US is next ,we will be like every other 3rd world country. The middle class is gone. Who is going to help us , during our disaster? Phyllis
Money buys food. It's that simple. Words have meanings. And while a "handout" means a gift or donation, it is broadly recognized as a negative connotation. And which is what I inferred to be the intent of the use of that word. Caryl Stern was rightfully asking for money because that is what is needed to save lives. How could she have asked for contributions in a way that would have been more palatable?
Of course she makes a ton more then you. She is the CEO of a multinational organization. Her job is harder than that of most "for-profit" corporations. Just because she works in "non-profit" doesn't mean she stands on the corner handing out fliers.
Suppose she makes over a million a year. Is that adequate compensation for the death-threats, (yes, UNICEF gets threats from quacks) - insane travel schedule away from her family in extreme and unsafe conditions all while maintaining executive control over a company that employs thousands?
Hey I just gave money via Unicef very quick and easy. I also shared it for the first time on Facebook. It turned out a neighbor friend was scared to give so she did not want to be bombarded by the charity in the mail latter. So she just gave me cash and I put it on my Credit card. Important thing is the kids will get their food.
I really hope the show keeps covering this.
Thanks Lawrence !
The bloody Islam regime continues to destroy people. God help these people.
In my opinion congress has in reality (CHANGED THE CONSTITUTION ILLEGALY AND VIOLATED THEIR OATH OF OFFICE) INASMUCH AS THE CONSTITUTION STATES THE ARTICLES THAT TAKE A SUPER MAJORITY 2/3RDS TO IMPLEMENT. The congress has changed this WITHOUT AN AMENDMENT WITH THE FILER BUSTER.60% INSTEAD OF 51% . What This does in essence is change the system from checks and balance to ckecks and halt. It also changes the equation from Magority rule to Minority rule This must be corrected . It is hurting all parties, but more important it is destroying our great Country
I'm donating but strange to think that some portion of it will probably go to bribe a terrorist organization to let aid workers through. The situation appears to be so dire.
Ken