The U.N. has taken up the Zimbabwe situation. Unfortunately, it seems the U.N. tends to be more reactive than proactive.
Here is what was published in the story in USA today:
"The proposed U.N. sanctions include an international arms embargo and freeze on the personal assets of Mugabe and 11 other top government officials whom the U.S. believes played a key role in using violence to undermine Mugabe's opposition."
I have a tendency to think the freezing of the assets of Mugabe and the 11 other top government officials would be more effective on the surface. But given the inflation that exists in Zimbabwe (see my last post!), what exactly would this do if the 12 had their money in Zimbabwe currency?
If the 12 have their money in another currency, that tells us everything we need to know about them anyway...
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
4.1 billion dollars in 2 weeks: The New Rate of Inflation
Ah yes, Zimbabwe takes center stage in my brain. Again....
I got an email from a group working in Zimbabwe and some of the happenings are even more startling that what is being said in the news media.
· The salary level for teachers and principals cannot possibly keep track with inflation. Last month a principal received his salary. It was only enough to buy 4 bananas!! It is very understandable that the staff of schools are not present to teach the children.
· Cornelious was called in the night to take one of the caregivers to the hospital. When he arrived, he found there were no doctors present at this major hospital.
· Two weeks ago (the week we left South Africa for a 5 week trip to the States), the Zimbabwe dollar fell from 2 billion Zim dollars for 1 US dollar, to 6.1 billion Zim dollars for 1 US dollar. And that was within just one week!
· The March presidential election, and the following runoff election of June, has left the country with Mugabe sworn back in as president, but not recognized as legitimate by many of the world’s major leaders, including many in Africa. Some African figures have called for armed intervention. The nation continues in painful limbo.
6.1 billion dollars to 1 U.S. dollar. 4.1 million dollars in inflation in one week. It is understandable that four bananas is not enough to feed a family.
Other than removing Mugabe from power (which I support!), how can we help stabilize the economy and restore aid to Zimbabwe?
I got an email from a group working in Zimbabwe and some of the happenings are even more startling that what is being said in the news media.
· The salary level for teachers and principals cannot possibly keep track with inflation. Last month a principal received his salary. It was only enough to buy 4 bananas!! It is very understandable that the staff of schools are not present to teach the children.
· Cornelious was called in the night to take one of the caregivers to the hospital. When he arrived, he found there were no doctors present at this major hospital.
· Two weeks ago (the week we left South Africa for a 5 week trip to the States), the Zimbabwe dollar fell from 2 billion Zim dollars for 1 US dollar, to 6.1 billion Zim dollars for 1 US dollar. And that was within just one week!
· The March presidential election, and the following runoff election of June, has left the country with Mugabe sworn back in as president, but not recognized as legitimate by many of the world’s major leaders, including many in Africa. Some African figures have called for armed intervention. The nation continues in painful limbo.
6.1 billion dollars to 1 U.S. dollar. 4.1 million dollars in inflation in one week. It is understandable that four bananas is not enough to feed a family.
Other than removing Mugabe from power (which I support!), how can we help stabilize the economy and restore aid to Zimbabwe?
Monday, June 16, 2008
The Next Big Issue
I find that many of the big issues facing our society start getting popularized in Africa. AIDS is one major point in that argument. But I think the next great problem is the issue of water. The next great conservation conversation might be about two things:
1. How we conserve water.
2. How do we make water readily accessible to those who need it?
We do a great job of wasting water in the U.S. How many of us leave the water running when we brush our teeth? How many of us don't use "gray water" to water plants? Small steps can help us save a significant amount of water. This water saving will help us funnel the resources to Africa where some people have to walk hours upon hours to find water to drink.
One solution is digging wells in African countries where needed. Check out the website below to learn more about 1,000 Wells project championed by Jars of Clay.
http://www.bloodwatermission.com/
It's about Africa....
1. How we conserve water.
2. How do we make water readily accessible to those who need it?
We do a great job of wasting water in the U.S. How many of us leave the water running when we brush our teeth? How many of us don't use "gray water" to water plants? Small steps can help us save a significant amount of water. This water saving will help us funnel the resources to Africa where some people have to walk hours upon hours to find water to drink.
One solution is digging wells in African countries where needed. Check out the website below to learn more about 1,000 Wells project championed by Jars of Clay.
http://www.bloodwatermission.com/
It's about Africa....
Friday, June 13, 2008
Mugabe Tries To Handle His Competition
Ah, yes Mugabe from Zimbabwe is performing the oldest trick in politics: if you are worried about your opponents taking power from you, just put them in jail!
The police in Zimbabwe are now holding 200 members of Mugabe's opposition party in jail and the UN Security Council is holding a closed session about the declining situation in Zimbabwe.
Mugabe's opposition party now has political control after the most recent election threatening Mugabe's power.
It is time to look at the real losers in this situation: those who still don't have access to food and medicine because of Mugabe's political aspirations.
Mugabe needs to allow change to take place rather than hold onto power.
The police in Zimbabwe are now holding 200 members of Mugabe's opposition party in jail and the UN Security Council is holding a closed session about the declining situation in Zimbabwe.
Mugabe's opposition party now has political control after the most recent election threatening Mugabe's power.
It is time to look at the real losers in this situation: those who still don't have access to food and medicine because of Mugabe's political aspirations.
Mugabe needs to allow change to take place rather than hold onto power.
Friday, June 6, 2008
And we think George Bush is bad
President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe has announced that humanitarian groups are not longer able to function in his country because one supposed group is campaigning for the opposition in the June 27 presidential runoff between Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai.
What does this mean? Lots on two fronts:
1. AIDS medication will no longer be given to many.
2. Food, which is in short supply to say the least, will not be handed out.
Death and starvation in the name of politics.
Impeach Mugabe?
What does this mean? Lots on two fronts:
1. AIDS medication will no longer be given to many.
2. Food, which is in short supply to say the least, will not be handed out.
Death and starvation in the name of politics.
Impeach Mugabe?
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