What We’re Reading 5/1/09

May 1st, 2009 10:46 AM UTC
By Steve Wilson

Atlanta Journal-Constitution—Poverty is major factor in pandemic
A columnist writes in the Atlanta Journal Constitution that as the swine flu garners headlines across the globe, it is important to recognize the connection between such pandemics and poverty. Pandemics are fueled by poverty more than any other factor, she writes, and nothing will go farther to contain the spread of disease than healthy populations with access to health care, adequate medicine and basic medical equipment.

Reuters—Researchers urge rules to stop ‘land-grabbing’ worsening hunger
International food experts and African politicians are pushing for guidelines to prevent the surging trend of rich investors buying land in developing countries from hurting poor farmers and causing food crises. The amount of land under negotiation in deals to help cash-rich countries in the Gulf and Asia secure food supplies for their growing populations has reached 15 to 20 million hectares, roughly equivalent to cropland in Germany or France, estimates the Washington-based International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). The monetary value is a huge – $20 to $30 billion.

Reuters—Zimbabweans still groaning as aid remains elusive
Reuters writes that a Zimbabwean government plan to rescue the shattered economy hasn’t made life any easier for many people who are losing patience with no Western aid in sight. The credibility of the unity government between President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai depends largely on its ability to persuade Western donors and foreign investors to pour billions of dollars into the country.

-Steve Wilson

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