28th July 2006

 
It is a shame that Gordon Venables (letters Wilts and Glos Standard 13 July) did not check his facts before accusing me of only having a theoretical knowledge of overseas aid and Africa.  In fact I have been a practical aid worker in the very countries mentioned for 25 years – working in over 30 different countries for organisations including Oxfam, Christian Aid, the British Government and the United Nations.  I have been shot-at and held hostage. I have been with aid convoys, driven by unarmed African relief workers through rebel held and mine infested country.  Your letter insults many brave Africans who risk their lives on a daily basis trying to bring relief to their fellow Africans, as well as the much smaller number of expatriate aid workers who work alongside them.

Of course some drivers of aid convoys are dishonest – but Mr Venables is totally wrong to suggest that they all are. Of course dictatorship, war and corruption are massive underlying problems – sometimes made worse by irresponsible behaviour by some international businesses, including oil companies.

I am glad to say that, compared to when I first worked in Africa, there are now more democracies and fewer dictators.  More and more Africans are bravely speaking out against corruption.  Aid agencies are giving a higher priority to supporting good governance and the best ones have a zero tolerance policy towards corruption.  However much more needs to be done – and more and better aid is one part of this.  A responsible private sector is also important – with proper sanctions against those that encourage corruption. Also, we in the West need to do much more to cut down on our greenhouse gas emissions – global warming caused by our unsustainable lifestyles is already damaging some African countries.

We can all do something to make the World a better place – please do your bit.

Cllr Martin Whiteside
Hillside, Claypits Lane, Lypiatt, Stroud, Glos
Stroud Green Party Parliamentary Spokesperson