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> who die of malnutrition Do they die of malnutrition or governmental corruption? I thought it was proven in the 1980's that the problem isn't a lack of food,

> who die of malnutrition Do they die of malnutrition or governmental corruption? I thought it was proven in the 1980's that the problem isn't a lack of food, it's the degenerate political systems blocking aid from reaching those who are dying. At least that's the prevailing narrative on reddit.

vkou 8y ago
It's both corruption, and economics. A lot of places with famines are capable of being self-sufficient, in terms of food production, but it's just not profitable for farmers to grow it (And sell it domestically). When a million people died in the Irish potato famine, it wasn't just because the United Kingdom prevented foreign aid from reaching Ireland. Ireland was the breadbasket of the empire - throughout that entire time, it was a net exporter of food.
- deleted 8y ago
  [deleted]
Maken 8y ago
There is also the issue that food is not free and people starving can't pay for it.
- mikec3010 8y ago
  Which fuels corruption. Charity imports tons of food for the poor, only to be intercepted by someone in the government and resold for profit. I admit that's a generalisation and I have no idea what actually happens. I've only read that the food has a very hard time making it to those who need it most. Which is why I applaud Gates' charity for rethinking it and trying to get to the root of the problem.
- coryfklein 8y ago
  I honestly think this is an oversimplification. 1. Food is free for the starving in many places around the world. 2. Where it isn't free, a meal of rice and beans is usually within reach of even the poorest. 3. Where it is out of reach of the poor, it may be due to corruption; ie North Korea redirecting food supplies to the army instead of the public, and withholding it from prison camps. Don't fixate on the price or you'll miss the forest for the trees.
kazinator 8y ago
Not to mention the fact that the fate of those children is decided before they are conceived. It is the handiwork of the rapists that beget these children.

vkou 8y ago

It's both corruption, and economics. A lot of places with famines are capable of being self-sufficient, in terms of food production, but it's just not profitable for farmers to grow it (And sell it domestically). When a million people died in the Irish potato famine, it wasn't just because the United Kingdom prevented foreign aid from reaching Ireland. Ireland was the breadbasket of the empire - throughout that entire time, it was a net exporter of food.

deleted 8y ago
[deleted]

Maken 8y ago

There is also the issue that food is not free and people starving can't pay for it.

mikec3010 8y ago
Which fuels corruption. Charity imports tons of food for the poor, only to be intercepted by someone in the government and resold for profit. I admit that's a generalisation and I have no idea what actually happens. I've only read that the food has a very hard time making it to those who need it most. Which is why I applaud Gates' charity for rethinking it and trying to get to the root of the problem.
coryfklein 8y ago
I honestly think this is an oversimplification. 1. Food is free for the starving in many places around the world. 2. Where it isn't free, a meal of rice and beans is usually within reach of even the poorest. 3. Where it is out of reach of the poor, it may be due to corruption; ie North Korea redirecting food supplies to the army instead of the public, and withholding it from prison camps. Don't fixate on the price or you'll miss the forest for the trees.

kazinator 8y ago

Not to mention the fact that the fate of those children is decided before they are conceived. It is the handiwork of the rapists that beget these children.