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This is not true and this type of fatalism is just not warranted. Malaria deaths have actually been decreasing the last 20 years or so. And that is impressive b

by hristov 12y ago

This is not true and this type of fatalism is just not warranted. Malaria deaths have actually been decreasing the last 20 years or so. And that is impressive because population has been increasing. http://www.who.int/gho/malaria/epidemic/deaths/en/ http://www.who.int/gho/malaria/epidemic/deaths/en/ The ecology of a country is a very complex system and becomes even more complex if you throw humans into it. So any significant aid is bound to have unintended side effects. Thus, any aid must be accompanied by close monitoring and modified when necessary. This particular problem, for example, can be easily solved by making nets weaker so they break during fishing. But one should not take any side effect as an excuse to stop aid. Unless of course one is looking for any excuse to stop aid.

Havoc 12y ago
>This is not true and this type of fatalism is just not warranted. No? I bet I've spent more years in Africa than you have (my entire life). Also spent thousands of nights under mosquito nets. Ever seen someone fish with a mosquito net? I have. "ecology of a country"? Spare me the armchair commander BS. "Western" people mostly miss the plot. Eg vaccination. Massive freaking supply chain operation to get the stuff to Africa (great success) ... Mobile LPG powered refrigeration etc. High Five. Local witchdoctor says these things are evil - entire shipping of mission critical vaccines expire on site. (true story) One step forward two steps back. ..
- sangnoir 12y ago
  >No? I bet I've spent more years in Africa than you have This sound like an appeal to non-authority. How does seeing someone fishing with a mosquito net discount the fact that malaria deaths have been decreasing for 20 years? (a point you chose to ignore, by the way). Africa is not a monolith: it's 54-countries strong with a multitude of cultures (I'd bet you'd be hard-pressed to find a "local witch doctor" in Tunis). You are entitled to your opinion, just because you live there doesn't automatically make you an expert. I too have spent my entire life in (southern) Africa.

by hristov 12y ago

Havoc 12y ago

>This is not true and this type of fatalism is just not warranted. No? I bet I've spent more years in Africa than you have (my entire life). Also spent thousands of nights under mosquito nets. Ever seen someone fish with a mosquito net? I have. "ecology of a country"? Spare me the armchair commander BS. "Western" people mostly miss the plot. Eg vaccination. Massive freaking supply chain operation to get the stuff to Africa (great success) ... Mobile LPG powered refrigeration etc. High Five. Local witchdoctor says these things are evil - entire shipping of mission critical vaccines expire on site. (true story) One step forward two steps back. ..

sangnoir 12y ago
>No? I bet I've spent more years in Africa than you have This sound like an appeal to non-authority. How does seeing someone fishing with a mosquito net discount the fact that malaria deaths have been decreasing for 20 years? (a point you chose to ignore, by the way). Africa is not a monolith: it's 54-countries strong with a multitude of cultures (I'd bet you'd be hard-pressed to find a "local witch doctor" in Tunis). You are entitled to your opinion, just because you live there doesn't automatically make you an expert. I too have spent my entire life in (southern) Africa.