Why aren’t you angry? The $67m Question – Famine in Africa

People are capable of getting worked up over all sorts of things in their life. From the P plate drivers who cut them off as they hoon down the street, to the umpire in the footy missing a blatant free kick. This week we have seen anger over issues ranging from the Carbon tax to Murdoch and his now defunct News of the World. But in the week of Nelson Mandela’s birthday, where is the anger over the famine in Africa?

The world, quite rightly, has a love affair with Nelson Mandela. For a generation he was the symbol of a reborn Africa, a man who sacrificed so that others could live free. Mandela Day commenced in 2009 and this was the message “Nelson Mandela has fought for social justice for 67 years. We’re asking you to start with 67 minutes. We would be honoured if such a day can serve to bring together people around the world to fight poverty and promote peace and reconciliation,” according to a statement issued on Mandela’s behalf.“

Let us give Mandela the Birthday gift he would want!

In Honour of Nelson Mandela, his birthday this week and Australia’s commitment to a better future for Africa, I am calling on Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd to extend the Australian contribution to the relief effort in the Horn of Africa to $67million. So far the government has pledged $30million, this is NOT enough and we can give much more. In a time when Billionaire’s are complaining about paying a $23 Carbon Tax it is unacceptable, whatever your politics, that we sit idly by while children simply starve to death. The world has not done enough, it has acted too slowly and passing blame does not feed hungry children.

“There has been a catastrophic breakdown of the world’s collective responsibility to act,” said Fran Equiza, Oxfam’s director in the Horn of Africa.

“Several rich governments are guilty of wilful neglect as the aid effort to avert catastrophe in East Africa limps along.

“The warning signs have been seen for months, and the world has been slow to act. 

The Children are looking to you!

We must act now, the vast majority of us can afford to give $67, many can afford to give much more. And Australia, the lucky country, a country of great resources and  riches can very easily afford to give $67million.

I encourage you to donate $67 and to urge our government to give $67million, please forward this article to Kevin Rudd’s office and let us do the right thing for Africa and our World! If we can get angry about the football, we can do something about this!

UPDATE:-  The UK has pledged 90million (pounds), we lost the ashes, let’s not be out done here too!

www.oxfam.org.au

www.msf.org.au

http://www.worldvision.com.au