Devex: SFRC clears foreign aid transparency bill – The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations committee passed the Foreign Assistance Transparency and Accountability Act of 2012, a bipartisan reform proposal that seeks a “common standard for monitoring and measuring the performance of U.S. development programs.” The bill was introduced by Sen. Lugar (R-IN) and is supported Sen. Rubio (R-FL), Sen. Kerry (D-MA). (Ivy Mungcal)
NYTimes: Opinion: It’s Business As Usual for China – In light of China’s growth and the “West’s continued stagnation, many developing countries now look to China for aid, investment and trade.” While U.S. officials often warn Africans to “be wary of China’s warm embrace,” China’s methods of engaging in countries like Rwanda and Ethiopia could provide lessons for the U.S. The Chinese approach to development is “to end poverty, first build a road,” and focus much of their aid on infrastructure and economic growth.” (Deborah Brautigam)
AP: Niger reeling from worst flooding in 80 years, reports Oxfam – Oxfam reports that half a million people have been displaced in Niger as the country experiences its worst flooding in 80 years. Niger faced droughts in 2005, 2010 and the first part of 2012, causing an acute hunger crisis. While rains were undoubtedly needed, the excessive rainwater has destroyed 17,000 acres of crops, “making it even more difficult for families strained by drought to rebound.”
VOA: Can We Feed the World? – A new book by Sir Gordon Conway, One Billion Hungry, claims that “we can feed the world if we . . . provide sufficient aid and investment,” utilize new technologies, create fair and efficient markets and “really utilize the power of women as farmers and mothers as nutritionists.” Conway explains that food security is becoming even more critical, as the U.N. estimates the world’s population will rise to more than nine million by 2050. (Joe DeCapua)
