What We’re Reading 3/25/09

Mar 25th, 2009 4:50 PM UTC
By Steve Wilson

Washington Post—Zambia’s Copperbelt Reels From Global Crisis
The Washington Post looks at how the global economic meltdown is devastating many African countries’ resource-fueled economies. This article specifically looks at Zambia and how the downturn has pummeled the copper industry there, causing a national economic crisis measured in unsold tomatoes at the market, empty stomachs and desperate people. A similar series of events is being replicated across the continent. As prices drop for Botswana’s diamonds, Chad’s oil, Tanzania’s cotton and Zambia’s copper, a crisis that began in the rich world is threatening to drive millions more into poverty and is raising the specter of unrest, the paper writes.

Wall Street Journal—WHO Stresses TB-HIV Link
New data from the World Health Organization show a closer connection between tuberculosis and HIV than had previously been known. HIV patients accounted for roughly a quarter of people who died from tuberculosis in 2007, according to new WHO estimates. In addition, of a total of 9.3 million new TB cases worldwide in 2007, 1.4 million, or 15 percent, occurred in people infected with HIV.

Washington Post—IMF Offers New Tools For Global Downturn
The International Monetary Fund, under increasing pressure to reinvent itself, yesterday rolled out reforms that it said would make it more effective in combating the global economic crisis. The centerpiece of the reforms is a new line of credit that gives countries with well-managed economies the ability to borrow more money, faster and with no strings attached. World leaders will turn their attention to the role of the IMF when they meet next week in London for the G20 summit, and they are expected to reiterate support for increasing the IMF’s resources, though there are differences on how much those resources should be increased.

America.gov—Former U.S. Agriculture Secretary Calls for Development Czar
Former U.S. Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman has called for appointment of a development czar to oversee U.S. foreign aid and challenged the Obama administration to spend more to alleviate hunger worldwide, especially in Africa. Glickman, in testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the amount of funding needed to feed the malnourished in Africa is “a drop in the bucket” compared to government funds devoted to stanching the current economic crisis. He challenged the U.S. government to allocate at least $340 million in 2010 and more thereafter toward infrastructure, agricultural research and education in poor countries.

Reuters—U.S. wants strong trade partnership with Africa: Kirk
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said yesterday that the United States wants to boost trade with African countries to fight poverty on the continent and expand markets for U.S. exports. “We know that expanded trade can make an important contribution to boosting growth and reducing poverty in Africa,” Kirk said in a statement after his first meeting with an African counterpart.

Reuters—SADC to discuss Zimbabwe aid, Madagascar sanctions
Southern African leaders are likely to finalize a regional economic aid package for Zimbabwe and discuss possible sanctions against Madagascar when they meet next week, South Africa said on Tuesday. Heads of state from the 15-member Southern African Development Community (SADC), which South Africa chairs, are likely to finalize a $2 billion regional aid package to Zimbabwe as it tries to rebuild its ruined economy. The summit will also consider taking tougher action against Madagascar, whose elected government was toppled in an army-backed takeover.

-Steve Wilson

TAGS: What We're Reading