March 27, 2009 at 8:51 pm

THANK YOU, ONE, for this excellent analysis of this most offensive book by Dambisa Moyo. I am already in the process of framing my own response to the media outlets who have allowed her their forums to promote herself through the publication of this book – and to challenge them to allow equal time to those in our movement who can rationally and reasonably dispute her contentions.

Why is a response to Moyo necessary?

Because in this time of the world’s worst economic crisis in seventy years, the pledges of development aid that donor nations have made to the world’s poor (like at the G8 summit in 2005) are in REAL DANGER of not being fulfilled – leaving millions of African people who need the life-saving food supplies, AIDS medications and other essential services that this money provides without an option to obtain these resources.

This results in millions of people in Africa at risk of increased hunger & poverty….and even of their deaths.

We simply need EVERY VOICE that we can find for the world’s poor and if we don’t seriously STAND UP TO MOYO and her followers, that development money may be harder to obtain from Congress in the future.

I am so glad to see ONE “take on” Dambisa Moyo & her ilk. Millions of lives and futures in Africa are on the line….literally.

I am very proud to advocate with all of you AS ONE – especially Erin and all those in ONE from DATA.

ALWAYS FOREVER, ONE – debbie
http://www.mpwn-uganda.org

March 28, 2009 at 1:50 pm

I hear the same concerns that appear in _Dead Aid_ repeated over and over from critics of aid, both in the field and in visitors to this blog.

The publication of this book presents a concise means of refuting a host of misconceptions.

“Smart Aid ….”

This little phrase stands out, and I’d definitely like to see it used more frequently.

Perhaps even a tag-line somewhere, that would tell people, right off-the-bat, that this is NOT the “old aid” of previous decades.

“Sustainable, responsible aid, involving local economies, accountable governments and where it’s needed most urgently.”

March 28, 2009 at 5:06 pm

And great job, ONE, on the excellent refutation.

March 29, 2009 at 10:47 am

As an African, I am quite disturbed by your reaction to this book. Growing up on the continent I fully identify with what Dr. Moyo talks about. Is her book 100% right? Probably not, but for your organization to attempt to crush a dissenting voice to your aid business (yes, it is a business) and dismiss a book as thin and lacking smacks of a serious anti-African stance. Could it be that Dr. Moyo threatens your very profitable livelyhood? Africans are seen as inadequate to handle our own problems and as a charity case. This is extremely offensive, and the sooner we can break away from this yoke, the better. What ever happened to an honest debate? Or is that reserved only for others.

March 29, 2009 at 11:47 am

Mr. Kibaya, I thank you for your contribution to the ONE Blog. As an individual who has been an Africanist for over thirty years, I think that it is of extreme importance for us to listen to the opinions and experiences of people from the Continent.

To put this all in perspective, Ms. Moyo’s contentions are simply that – an opinion because the FACTS about foreign assistance programs to Africa show the opposite of what her opinions state.

If everybody’s opinion in Africa deserved a book, there would be over three hundred million books on the market. The simple fact is – an opinion does not a book make.

I do not make a cent as a ONE volunteer advocating for programs that bring clean water, education, food and medicines to MILLIONS of people in Africa.

In fact, I live in poverty in the USA and still take some of my time every week to advocate for the rights of those much less fortunate than me in Africa to have access to these life-saving programs for them and their families.

Most of the two and a half million Americans who are ONE supporters also make no money in their advocacy for Africa so your line of reasoning about profitable livlihood needs to be put to rest.

I will have more to say about your post later but I felt that I needed to start a dialogue with you asap.

Your point of view is welcomed in the ONE Blog and we honor you as a person from the original continent of humankind.

Africa lives in our Hearts and Souls. Blessings, debbie ~

March 29, 2009 at 2:42 pm

Yes, whatever happened to an honest debate, indeed? I am not an economist and am not well-prepared to examine the economic arguments or data, and am a US citizen, but have lived in Africa and have witnessed things that caused me to honestly question some aid practices, and how aid is delivered and whether and to what extent “it” (maybe Bad Aid, not Dead Aid) fosters empowerment versus paternalism and even apartheid. Aid is not a uniform thing. At all. This debate on aid’s efficacy (for saving lives *and* empowerment *and* sustainability) is of vital importance.

Of relevance–how much of aid goes directly to ex-pat consultants in the form of salary, per-diems, and expensive lengthy hotel stays? Can you even call that aid? What if such consultants were to stay with host families, who would be paid a per-diem for food and shelter and hospitality? The money saved alone would be a calculation of interest. And why is USAID supposed to contract with certain groups only? To what extent do these practices prevent innovation or best practices??

March 29, 2009 at 2:54 pm

Agape, who ever said that no one here wanted an honest debate on foreign aid? If you have read what I have said so far in this discussion and if you have read the voluminous compilation of FACTS that One has put together right here at this site to substantiate their point of view that Dambisa Moyo is simply NOT basing her opinons on fact, then you will know that ONE supporters are always willing to discuss FACTS but we will refute the fiction that others want to sling at us with NO facts behind their contentions.

If you have missed the voluminous compendium of FACTS that ONE has to support our contention that AID WORKS, I’ll provide the link:

http://www.one.org/c/us/policybrief/765/

All the Best, debbie ~

March 29, 2009 at 3:47 pm

I don’t think any responsible individual believes 100% of aid is 100% effective.

However, I don’t think any responsible person believes aid should be cut by 100%.

March 29, 2009 at 5:05 pm

You are correct, Johan, which is why ONE and other organizations worldwide involved with promoting RESPONSIBLE foreign assistance programs are advocating for the REFORM of those programs to make them as effective as possible.

That info is available at the link that I provided above. Please check it out for more info.

ALWAYS FOREVER, ONE – debbie ~

March 29, 2009 at 5:39 pm

Debbie K,
Thank you for your timely response. Its great that you’re an ‘Africanist’, which I’m sure means you have a soft spot for the continent. I just think there’s a danger in effectively demonizing an African economist without a legitimate outreach to engage her in a debate. I have seen the Land Cruisers being driven around, and the excessive salaries and benefits for expats are well known. I understand Dr. Moyo’s assertions may directly affect alot of people’s pockets, but I think at some point Africa has to be allowed to stand on its own. We are capable! Isn’t it interesting the the famous Dr. Jeffery Sachs recommended certain economic programs for Europe’s emerging markets, which Dr. Moyo suggests, but now Dr. Sachs can not bring himself to suggest the same for African countries. Whats the difference? If someone would maybe say that Africans are incapable of doing the same, that’s a debate some of us are willing to engage in. And by the way Debbie, I have seen the letter the One organization has sent around to donor agencies, its quite shameful. But maybe we shouldn’t be surprised.

http://davidgrundy.blogspot.com/2009/03/untrue-accusations-by-one-organization.html

March 29, 2009 at 5:42 pm

Understood, Debbie.

That’s what I’m saying.

To call for 100% eradication of aid, as Dambisa Moyo does, is IRRESPONSIBLE.

DEAR RIDIYEN:

I hope you will understand the deep love everyone here has for the African people.

That might help explain why, if there is resistance to this book, it is NOT in the spirit of creating a dependent Africa.

Rather, it is the TERRIFYING prospect of leaving millions of Africans without recourse to ARVs, micro-finance and the help so many people are actually receiving.

Please try to understand we are on the same side, with very different ideas about what solutions will work.

March 29, 2009 at 5:43 pm

ONE doesn’t do direct development work. It’s one of the few organizations (including even the government) that isn’t biased because it is neither a recipient or practitioner of aid.. It advocates for the best policy period, including non-aid based solutions like trade and governance. They even have an aid effectiveness section about aid reform. She is advocating that it be eliminated.. that’s crazy.

Ridiyen, they put Moyo’s book on the frontpage of their site… if that isn’t inviting debate, I am not sure what is.

March 29, 2009 at 5:49 pm

Dear Ridiyen Kibaya:

ABOUT THE LETTER

I followed the link to the blog, and read the letter sent by ONE.

I wouldn’t exactly call this letter “shameful,” I’m sorry. It seems like a clear delineation of opinion, which is the right of everyone on both sides of this issue.

THE SOURCE

I also would also like to draw people’s attention to the fact that this blog has only one entry: March 29, 2009.

As it was obviously created solely for the purpose of expressing this single opinion, it can hardly be thought of an an unbiased “source”.

Thanks,

Johan

March 29, 2009 at 5:53 pm

Henry and Johan, thank you for your concern. The feeling is that Africa is a charity case, I wish you knew how many time I’ve had to correct people about the fact that Africa is not one country, but instead made up of 53 countries all independent with different perspectives. This always seems to escape the west and Africa is treated like a region incapable of taking care of itself. Dr. Moyo has correctly stated in her book that a lot of Africans do not see this govt to govt aid which she is vehemently against. I have very close relatives who have benefited from aid and I would be wrong to suggest it may not have helped, but my issue is the One organization is going out of its way to vilify Dr. Moyo, instead of encouraging this kind of independent thought by Africans.You make it sound like the One organization has more concern for Africa than Dr. Moyo, and to me that is ludicrous. By putting her book on your front page with a big ‘F’ on it, means that you are taking the position of discrediting her, which I don’t think you’re interested in. Or are you? Again, I’ve seen the letter being circulated to NGOs in Africa, and again, it is shameful. See for yourself:
http://davidgrundy.blogspot.com/2009/03/untrue-accusations-by-one-organization.html

March 29, 2009 at 5:56 pm

Yes, but the letter is what I’m concerned about. It was sent to an NGO in Zambia, why can’t one just directly engage Dr. Moyo, instead of this underhanded tactic of trying to pit African against her. I could care less about the blog, I just need to know why One have gone out of their way to write this letter with the expectation they will get quites from Africans discrediting Dr. Moyo. There is a healthy debate to be had, I think One can be a part of this process if African self reliance is genuinely what they want.

March 29, 2009 at 5:57 pm

Yes, but the letter is what I’m concerned about. It was sent to an NGO in Zambia, why can’t One just directly engage Dr. Moyo, instead of this underhanded tactic of trying to pit Africans against her. I could care less about the blog, I just need to know why One have gone out of their way to write this letter with the expectation they will get quotes from Africans discrediting Dr. Moyo. There is a healthy debate to be had, I think One can be a part of this process if African self reliance is genuinely what they seek.

March 29, 2009 at 5:59 pm

Mr. Kibaya, I can not see anything “shameful” about what Mr. Denton did – it is quite common and I am sure that Ms. Moyo collected quotes from her supporters also in her defense. So what is the prblem with that?

Mr. Denton can answer for himself but if that is your basis of your criticism of ONE then unfortunately, you are falling into the same sort of scare tactics as Ms. Moyo and the FACTS are just too voluminous against your point of view.

If you knew anything at all about ONE, Mr. Kibaya, then you would know that since our existence five years ago, we have ALWAYS promoted a position that Africans are intelligent, capable people and if given just a bit of assistance, could produce amazing results for their families, communities and nations.

HOW IS THAT A NEGATIVE PICTURE OF AFRICA’s PEOPLE?

Unfortunately, Mr. Kibaya, as much as I respect you personally, I must say that you are beginning to sound like someone who is not well informed about ONE and I hope that you will research your subject more before speaking as if you know the facts.

Like Ms. Moyo, you are participating in broadbrushed negativities which have no basis in fact and are actually beginning to make your point of view look a bit silly.

BTW – what country are you from? This actually is important to me.

God bless you, Ridiyen.

Living Positively, debbie *

March 29, 2009 at 6:05 pm

Thank you again Debbie for your response. I’ll be honest, my knowledge of ONE is limited to what I’ve seen with Bono and this letter to NGOs about Dr. Moyo. I am from Malawi, and I think for far too long Africans have been saddled with this sweeping generalization of being second class and so anytime someone, Mr. Denton on behalf of One in this case, tries to suggest an African is risking killing millions of other Africans, it smacks of shameless inuendo.

March 29, 2009 at 9:45 pm

Thank you for your honesty, Mr. Kibaya. That speaks well for you. Please know that I share some of your concerns about the perceptions of African people by those from richer countries and have constantly had to correct people myself when they make the same assumptions about African people that you have mentioned.

Please know that my concern is for the millions of those in Africa who have been helped by the foreign aid that has come into the Continent who would suffer and die if foreign assistance was withdrawn from the Continent.

Evidently, that is a secondary concern for Ms. Moyo (her first concern being promoting herself and her book) and that is shameful on her part.

Yes – foreign aid distribution methods can and should be improved. ONE is working internationally to make those foreign assistance programs work more efficiently so that more of the aid money get directly to those who need it the most.

But to simply pull the plug on these programs and not put anything comparable in their place so that MILLIONS of Africans won’t suffer and die is simply UNETHICAL.

Take good care, Mr. Kibaya. I truly wish you & yours all the best in Malawi.

GOD BLESS AFRICA – debbie ~

March 29, 2009 at 10:21 pm

Hey I would love to help you in your cause but the fact of the matter is there are thousands of working poor right here in America. I myself have worked fulltime since highschool graduation in 1984, yet I have had health insurance a total of five years only amongst all those years. The last time I saw a doctor it was for stiches and cost it me $450.00. I feel overwhelmed and depressed and can not afford to see a doctor. I haven’;t had a checkup in ten years, and fear I have some sort of ailment brought on by malpractice of a childhood dentist. I have spent thousands on my teeth due to his corruption and I can’t afford a lawyer to sue the mother. So yeah poverty in Africa sucks but I suspect much of it is due to bad behaviour of Africans, I work my ass off and get worked over by our system, how bout doing something for the working poor in America. That would be truly righteous. Peace…Pete

March 29, 2009 at 11:36 pm

Pete – I know your pain because I have been a working poor person in the USA for thirty years!

Unfortunately your response shows that you didn’t read all of the responses before your post otherwise you would have seen this:

“I do not make a cent as a ONE volunteer advocating for programs that bring clean water, education, food and medicines to MILLIONS of people in Africa.

In fact, I live in poverty in the USA and still take some of my time every week to advocate for the rights of those much less fortunate than me in Africa to have access to these life-saving programs for them and their families.”

That’s me, Pete. being poor in the USA doesn’t mean that we should be heartless for those who are even poorer than us in the USA.

If anything, we should be more caring about them because we know what poverty feel like.

Think about it, Pete.

ALWAYS FOREVER, ONE – debbie ~

March 30, 2009 at 6:20 am

Pete, thanks for the honesty, I think it allows for a conversation to be had. Maybe a little harsh, but I can’t say not necessary. Debbie K, I can’t help wonder how you come to the conclusion that Dr. Moyo’s primary concern is self-promotion and book-promotion, without you even talking to her. That is a pretty serious allegation, and I wonder if you would raise this with Dr. Moyo. The little I know is Dr. Moyo was born and raised inZambia, her family still lives in Zambia, and she has seen extreme poverty, so it seems ludicrous to think she ignores all these people and would gladly see them die. Again, I don’t know Dr. Moyo, but I think your statement can be tied to Pete’s concerns, and if I went further and said your concern for Africa ignores the extreme poverty in the US, and you would gladly see Americans suffer at the expense of Africans. Finally, I think you should research Dr. Moyo’s assertions a little more. Her attack is on the Government-to-Government Aid, not the humanitarian or charitable Aid. This a great distinction and I think its what the focus should be on.

March 30, 2009 at 10:03 am

Why don’t you tell people to read it and decide for themselves? Way to give people a biased view.

March 30, 2009 at 8:17 pm

Mr. Kibaya,

With all due respect, I am shocked by your statement:

“your concern for Africa ignores the extreme poverty in the US, and you would gladly see Americans suffer at the expense of Africans.”

How absurd an idea that is.

First of all, how have you missed the fact that I AM A WORKING POOR AMERICAN CITIZEN, so when you offer the ideas about poor Americans suffering – that INCLUDES me.

This is what I just got done saying to Pete:

“I do not make a cent as a ONE volunteer advocating for programs that bring clean water, education, food and medicines to MILLIONS of people in Africa.

In fact, I live in poverty in the USA and still take some of my time every week to advocate for the rights of those much less fortunate than me in Africa to have access to these life-saving programs for them and their families.”

That’s me, Pete. being poor in the USA doesn’t mean that we should be heartless for those who are even poorer than us in the USA.

If anything, we should be more caring about them because we know what poverty feel like.

Think about it, Pete.”

Why in the world would you reject the American people’s concern for those who live on your Continent? That just doesn’t make sense.

And the American People DO NOT SUFFER because we support foreign assistance programs with Africa – we suffer because of the mismanagement of our own corporations.

Lastly, Ms. Moyo’s ideas have just been shot a hole through with the recent decision by China to pull back its investment programs in Africa – a keystone principle in her ideology:

http://www.smartbrief.com/news/un_wire/storyDetails.jsp?issueid=0CC8CE84-0315-46C5-81FE-CE68DA725A9F&copyid=75BF8A84-27E4-436E-904D-685B1285C96D&sid=d9317198-57bc-4150-baa2-d09ed29fc23d&brief=un_wire

In light of this info, how strong now is Ms. Moyo’s ideas? Not very.

I won’t debate you anymore in this thread, sir. I think that we have both said enough.

I will always be on the side of the right of poor people to have the same access to clean water, education, food and medicine that I take for granted in my country – and I refuse to give up my devotion to that principle.

God Bless Africa, debbie

March 31, 2009 at 8:06 am

Debbie K, its your right not to debate me anymore, but I am an African and I will not lay down in the face of this attack. And to now invoke China’s decision to reduce Dr. Moyo’s recommendations as weak now is borderline crazy. You are actually making the point for her, Africa needs to stand on its own two feet and not rely on others, if China pulls some money, then we should look at other trade opportunities like the Middle East. And by the way, I don’t know you, so I can’t talk about your condition, but please, when you talk about being a ‘poor’ American and you somehow have constant internet access and time to volunteer during the week, it seems disingenous. I know a lot of my family in Malawi who can’t afford to go to the internet cafe just to send e-mail. Please blog carefully.

March 31, 2009 at 11:12 am

Dead Aid is DAMN RIGHT!

All that a person has to do is to look at where some African countries and SE Asian countries were 45 years ago-

Ghana/Ivory Coast for example were resource rich countries with Independence from the colonials and everything going for them

Malaysia on the other hand was basically an island full of palm trees and nothing much else……
Today we see here both countries are-Last i checked Malaysia was booming

The “Aid”/NGO and “Save the World” business is SCAM.There are too many “do gooders” paying themselves 6 figures from aid money, flying around the world,and taking pictures and writing papers/reports about how poor people are.There are exaceptions like the Gates Foundation and others who do real work,but there is also a large bunch of people who are basically collecting money on behalf of Africa and doing nothing.

March 31, 2009 at 11:39 am

A more sinister effect of Aid/NGO’s which Dambisa does not talk about is the effect of Aid on Africa’s most precious commodity-it’s Human Capital-Young,Ambitious,Highly Educated Africans.
Today,many young,educated Africans, who could be starting ventures have resigned themselves to working for an NGO or Aid Agency. An excert of a recent conversation between me and my fellow African collegue(a top 10 US MBA Finance graduate):

Me:Hey so about that land,are you going to start the Farm back home in Africa like you said,look even corn can make money these days.

MBA:Oh yes,the business plan is out there,these guys even want to fund me

me:Lets do it,i am in

MBA: aaah…you know,i am actually thinking of going to work for an NGO instead

me: Why

MBA: NGO’s are where is the money is man!I know another African guy educated in the US who went back joined an NGO-he has 2 SUV’s now and gets paid $100K.Look if you want to be rich in Africa,you gotta work for an NGO.

And there went a possibly profitable venture that may have provided jobs,fed and lifted people out of poverty. A sad consequence of Aid indeed.

March 31, 2009 at 9:24 pm

I have done nothing but be polite and respectful in my posts in this thread and anyone who would actually read my comments would see that.

Ms. Moyo made as a part of her plan of action for Africa the active investment of Chinese capital into the Continent. My purpose in posting the link to the article is to show the fallacy of Ms. Moyo’s ideas as the Chinese themselves have rethought their strategy in Africa.

How Mr. Kibaya thought that posting the link actually strengthened Moyo’s contention, I don’t know.

Lastly, I only brought up my working poor status in the USA because Kibaya said this in his previous post:

“Again, I don’t know Dr. Moyo, but I think your statement can be tied to Pete’s concerns, and if I went further and said your concern for Africa ignores the extreme poverty in the US, and you would gladly see Americans suffer at the expense of Africans.”

I posted my response about my poverty in the USA IN RESPONSE to Kibaya’s post above. It appeared that he was concerned about the poor people in the USA suffering more if U.S. foreign aid money went to Africa only for him to turn around and say this to me:

“when you talk about being a ‘poor’ American and you somehow have constant internet access and time to volunteer during the week, it seems disingenous. I know a lot of my family in Malawi who can’t afford to go to the internet cafe just to send e-mail.”

In every one of my posts in this thread, I have established my lifelong concern and respect for Africa’s People. I am MORE THAN AWARE of the horrible discrepancies in lifestyles that people in the USA & Africa have

- why does Kibaya think that I advocate as strongly as I do for Africa’s right to health care, sanitation, education,etc through the programs that ONE supports?

I also know people in Africa that do not have enough to eat or money to educate their children or adequate sanitation.

It is for them that I do whatever I can for Africa.

GOD BLESS AFRICA – debbie ~

April 1, 2009 at 5:43 pm

I am very proud of you. Dr, if many of us african could wake up and say no when it is no and say yes when yes required we will go forward.

I would also , say that this time ” economic crisis ” in rich countries to become develop. It is time
Please if you live oversea , please it is time to invest in your country or wherever in africa.
We do not have to wait again, now we can create jobs, by creating companies bussines and make that qualified african working oversea come to african” because many have lost jobs around the world” please i think this could be also a good idea.
Dr Moyo you are a genuis , but we and you we will raise our voice to change our continent.

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June 25, 2010 at 6:30 pm

Dr. Moyo is right on her views about aid given to Africa. It is time for Africa to refuse food in the place of getting seeds. Africa now needs seeds to plant their own food for sustainability and should fight any efforts to force it accept food.