I don't think enough effort has been made by the Ethiopian authority to avert this catastrophic situation.

Berhane Ghebrezghi, USA

I don't think enough effort has been made by the Ethiopian authority to avert this catastrophic situation in the Ethio-Somali region. To me it looks like as if the central government of Addis-Ababa has declared death sentences by STARVATION on these people
Berhane Ghebrezghi, USA

The situation in Ethiopia is political created by these so-called developed countries. Ethiopia is capable of sustaining its food production if there was stability, but, as you have read and seen, there are up rising which has paralysed the able farmers to perform their functions as farmer. The airlift of food to Ethiopia from developed countries will not help the country revolve from its present situation.
Seh, USA

This time I am convinced that the international community is right for delaying its external humanitarian assistance to the 'famine' stricken areas of Ethiopia. I understand that a surplus of food exists in other regions of Ethiopia and food continues to be exported from the country whilst many millions of people are abandoned and do not receive any of this distribution. Surely it is up to the Ethiopian government to take on more responsibility in this light and for the international community to ensure that internal resources are used first before injecting new resources into these areas.
S Johnson, UK

I think all of these recurring famine relief efforts must be linked to promises by the country's government to control population. What is the point of saving people if they just turn around and quadruple their population on the food you give them so that the disaster is that much worse the next time it doesn't rain?
Mike, USA

We all know that wrapped up in our own lives, these crises tend to be forgotten once the next television programme starts.

Ross Berntsen, England

The extremely disturbing images that are projected into our lives of the Ethiopian famine are essential to alert us all to the inactivity of the western world in assisting in such a crisis. , but there are those of us who do care.
Ross Berntsen, England

Blaming the west is a usual thing Ethiopian governments go for when failing to solve their internal problems which is caused by mismanagement, lack of commitment and advance planning practices. I believe that the current Ethiopian government could have done much had it not engaged itself into unwanted war with its former bed-mate, Eritrea. Blame the government in power for not acting at the early stage of the crisis not the western governments that were made aware of such crisis only recently.
N. Ochalla, UK/Ethiopian

I think the international community should not waste resources on ineffective short term solutions.

M. Khalif, Canada

Much as I sympathise for the starving people, I think the international community should not waste resources on ineffective short term solutions. Instead, the source of the problem should be addressed and dealt with effectively. The Ethiopian government is not only waging a border war with Eritrea over a tiny useless piece of land but it is at war with the people it claims to be guardians for. The civilians in the Ogaden live in a state of constant bondage and utter underdevelopment. Their hunger and threat of starvation serves an important political purpose for the Addis regime.
M. Khalif, Canada

I honestly believe that even if the "West" (i.e. the U.S) were to pledge a billion dollars in aid to help Ethiopia, those people would still be suffering the same plight that they are now. Why? Because the Ethiopian government is perfectly willing to let millions of their countrymen die of starvation, while they squander such aid on military hardware. I'm sorry, but why should the U.S. be expected to deplete its resources in some futile attempt to give aid to a country ruled by a corrupt, inefficient government. The sad fact is millions of Ethiopians will die a horrible death from starvation, but the fault is not with the West but rather with the Ethiopians themselves.
Gene, USA

I find it morally repugnant that so many people would criticise the Ethiopian government and refuse aid to the Ethiopian people.

Lily Wang, USA

I find it morally repugnant that so many people would criticise the Ethiopian government and refuse aid to the Ethiopian people. After developed countries have made commitments to help wherever human suffering occurs, it is our duty to look beyond a government that is unable or unwilling to help its people. Regardless of the Ethiopian government, people are still starving when we have so much. Must we sacrifice our principles for politics?
Lily Wang, USA

To create a forum for people to debate as to who is to blame for the current sad situation in Ethiopia is being insensitive to the plight of Ethiopians who desperately need help. Save lives first and then we can afford the luxury of exercising our intellectual abilities to show who is to blame and who is not. Quite frankly, I do not see a side that is not blame to some extent.
Sylvester Kadzola, MALAWI

Would we allow this to happen in our great empire? So why are we not pulling out every stop to help! Look at the eyes of the starving children and then look at your own children!
Kirsty Smith, England

The BBC reported on the famine in Ethiopia tonight. In the same news bulletin, they also said that millions of pounds will be given to several cities to spend on fireworks on New Years Eve. This sort of waste must be happening all over the world in one form or another. It doesn't make sense that people can literally burn valuable money while there are children dying.
Nicola King, England

I think it may be time to reconsider the use of UN Protectorates. There are many places in the world with strife overlapping multiple jurisdictions - this begs for an international solution. Ethiopia and it's neighbours have all squandered resources in-trade for militarism. Eritrea, Somalia and Ethiopia would all fair better under a UN multi-national administration. A different but similar example is Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia in the 90s. In my view there is no other way to handle it, if local administrators just want to wage war. And peace, like war, does not come cheaply
John, USA

I think the Ethiopian Government is responsible for plans to protect its people. By the way, by how much has the current Ethiopian population grown since the last handout? Where does Ethiopia get money to wage war? How much does the effluent society of Ethiopia help - or do they just ride on the backs of the poor?
Jo Schrap, Netherlands

It is not the time to argue one another. It is a question of humanitarian aid.

Nega Desta, Ethiopia

I think the war has passed more than 20 months now but the famine continues. I became very surprised when some have argued that the war coincides with the current FAMINE. It is not the time to argue one another. It is a question of humanitarian aid. All who are hungry do not need to hear all the arguments and debates. What they need is to be feed by any donors who have the capability. ''FIRST IS FIRST...THE OTHER THINGS NEXT.
Nega Desta, Ethiopia

One thing should be very clear here; people are dying! Innocent children are passing away. But the so-called "western donors" are playing their rather inhuman political games. They want to black mail politics with precious lives of innocent children. The world shouldn't forget that Ethiopia was once an emblem of pride and of justice and of charity in the arena of the world politics.
Dawit Z., Ethiopia

I am saddened by the hypocrisy of the West. Blaming the Ethiopian government is quite easy instead of sending help to the dying children. The Ethiopian government warned several times of the problem before this time. And they also requested the West to have stopped the aggression from Eritrea. Two years has elapsed nothing has been done. What do expect when there is no justice from the leading super powers? We, Ethiopians, never stopped from working hard but nature and our neighbours have collaborated against the peaceful people on this planet.
B.G., Canada

The Ethiopian government takes "Relief Aid" for granted. Primarily, the Ethiopian Government is responsible for this chaos. Hunger is no more a catastrophe in Ethiopia it is a routine phenomena.
The government in Ethiopia, if any, is responsible for all this mess. They delayed to inform the international community up to this month because they want to buy MIGs and Su last month. Instead of blaming the world community they have to set proper priorities and settle their conflict with Eritrea peacefully.
Schmidt, Germany

I don't think the Ethiopian government could have done anything to make the rain fall over the last three years.

Makonnen, USA

Everybody is making politics out of this. If you have any trace of humanity in your blood, help these starving children. If not, do not add more to the pain. Europe and America are rich, you should be able to help the hungry.
I don't think the Ethiopian government could have done anything to make the rain fall over the last three years.
Makonnen, USA

Who is to blame?
The Ethiopian government for not having foreseen that what happened few years ago was going to happen. The international community (especially the West) for not being enough sensible to the suffering of these fellow Africans.
Me and you for not being compassionate enough.
Jean D Bihiga, Rwanda

This country called Ethiopia, has never been free of hunger, war or misery since it was created artificially.

Duula Guddaa, Kenya

This country called Ethiopia, has never been free of hunger, war or misery since it was created artificially. The people in the empire are held hostage and brutally abused if not by hunger and drought, by the government.
Today what the world is witnessing is just the continuation of the same process. In my opinion the world should open their eyes and ears and stop supporting the regime until the people are free. At the same time organise direct food delivery to the needy. This shouldn't stop here, a long term program to solve the problem should also be set.
Duula Guddaa, Kenya

Shame on western countries. It is a pity to see rich nations hesitate to forego small portion of their resources to save millions of lives in Ethiopia. But, with God's help, we will overcome the problems we have faced today.
Ethio, Ethiopia

Famine in Africa is always saddening. I shall donate, but it bothers me when African counties try and lay all the blame on Europe.
With all its fertile land and huge resources, Africa should be feeding Europe and not the other way around. Guns seem to have priority over food, health and education in Africa.
Chris W. Whybrow, Philippines

I think the Ethiopian Government is partially to be blamed. The government is using the drought as a weapon. Several months ago the Ethiopian's were pursuing the Ogadeni rebels across the border to Somalia.
Zimbel Yasazenal, USA

It is certainly sad to see such suffering in Ethiopia again after 15 years.

Craig Watson, USA

It is certainly sad to see such suffering in Ethiopia again after 15 years. But hindsight should allow the world to clearly see the parallels to the 1984 famine. We have learned that ANY donation of aid even if specifically targeted to the needy ultimately fuels the war effort. It does so by reducing the government's liability to provide resources for its own people. Every pound received in foreign aid frees for the government one pound which may be spent on arms. Only by publicising the plight of the famine-stricken and by illuminating the government's misallocation of resources, will world sentiment demand an end to this war.

I feel that most Western governments care little about poor African countries unless they have oil. We in the West are contributing to global warming. This is increasingly causing problems in third world countries
Nick Bishop, England

Food is not everything. If these people are fed everyday, they are going to get hungry everyday, but if they are given a trade they are going to be able to feed themselves when hungry. They have been given food aid for years, have we tried to put them to work yet?
Ruskin Kwofie, USA

The current situation in Ogaden region is responsible the Tigre regime because they terrorise the civilian people in Ogaden region and without stability, there is no solution in Ogaden region.
Ahmed Hussein, Somalia

If there is any responsible international community on this planet, then they have, not only the moral obligation to help, but also are responsible for not helping to end the Ethiopian-Eritrean conflict, which donors are using as the main reason for the delay of relief.
Solomon, Japan

Please don't forget the real situation here. People are dying every second.

Yalemzewd Negash, Ethiopia

The Government and the donors talk too much because both have failed to react at the right time. And they are spending this crucial time blaming each other, opening the stage for another unrelated politics. Please don't forget the real situation here. People are dying every second. Stop your politics and do what you've got to do.
Yalemzewd Negash, Ethiopia

The leading party (TPLF) in Ethiopia should be held responsible for the main cause of the famine. The TPLF has been diverting every wealth of Ethiopia to Tigray, instead of devolving the area where famine is most likely to happen.
Dawit B, CA, USA

I am from Ogaden region where is the worst hit by the droughts, however let us talk realistically, there is no government in Ethiopia. There is a small group known us Tigrean who control the economic institutions and military, they have done nothing about the drought. Instead they are monopolising people to wage a war against Eritrea for the border conflict. People of Ethiopia have no hope even if International Community gave food for the starving people, it may help temporarily, but people need more than that. They need development programs.
Mohamed Abass, USA

There are so many factors that play into this famine crisis that it is foolish to say the Ethiopian government is at fault.

Yared, USA

There are so many factors that play into this famine crisis that it is foolish to say the Ethiopian government is at fault. They have to also defend the land and their people from aggressors much like they have to prevent them from starvation. Ethiopia has two issues to deal with it and it can't really afford to deal with one without the other.
Yared, USA

Mismanagement and lack of democratic representative government is a cause of Ethiopian famine. The government that fights with ten internal opponents and one external country spends the bulk of countries resources on armament is direct contributor and is the cause of starvation. The only solution to the crises is creation of representative government.
Tesfere, USA

I do not know much about the West's reasoning behind giving or not giving aid but I must strongly condemn irresponsible statements like "there are peoples with irreconcilable conflicts" made by your "SIR" Geldof. This is absolutely not true. We can and we will reconcile our differences with our cousins if you and your meddling cousins will just let us alone.
Solomon Abraha, Asmara, Eritrea

The only way western countries can help Ethiopia is by contributing to the democratisation of the country.

Jema, Amsterdam

When the guerrillas came to power overthrowing the Mengistu regime, it was expected by many, especially from outside Ethiopia that they would improve the situation for the people. The guerrilla leaders have an obligation primarily to their army and secondly to their ethnic group. The government has adamantly opposed repeated advice by economists to privatise land, which could have given confidence to the farmers and could have improved farming. Besides many of development programs have been centred on Tigray - where the guerrillas originate. The only way western countries can help Ethiopia is by contributing to the democratisation of the country, which could in turn help the food security effort. The country has millions hectares of fertile land and very hard working farmers. If the situation is made better they could feed the region.
Jema, Amsterdam

Ethiopia and Eritrea have to be asked if they are ready to change. Are we ready to shift from our stand-point or we are persistent on it? It is time to be converted for both countries involved in conflict that there may be enhanced peace.
Hillary Masia, Harare, Zimbabwe

The famine in Ethiopia is solely in the hands of the Ethiopia government. Successive governments used famine as a political weapon or (Hunger Politics) to stay in power, as long as there is a hand to bail them out. Only last week Ethiopian government bought two Suke fighters from Russia. Is this a sensible and responsible government action in the face of famine? I do not think so. Eritrea accepted the peace process initiated by different bodies since the conflict began. While Ethiopia has been dragging its feet. It is high time the International community stopped funding Ethiopia's war machine.
Dawit, London

The western world doesn't need to wait until the next catastrophe. 1.8 billion people are without clean water in the third world. Since one pump gives water to a village with 200 people, 9 million pump are needed. If sun ovens and solar cookers are produced and distributed the forest doesn't need to be cut down and the ground water can be saved at a higher level than now. Europe has enough of unemployed people, and even technical knowledge, not to talk about raw material to be able to fulfill such a project.
Samuel Svensson, �storp, Sweden

I'm getting sick of African presidents blaming catastrophies such as the hunger situation inEthiopia on the international community. Famine, unlike earthquake and sudden floods, does not occur overnight. Apparently, the government of Ethiopia deems it more important to fight over land (with her neighbor) for a starving and dying people, instead of screaming for help to feed them. When resources which could used in feeding hungry mouths are channeled into a senseless war, this could be viewed as an abuse of their fundamental human rights. I feel its a long time such crimes against the people is viewed on parallel terms with those commited by people like Milosovic. The international court of justice must begin to act. We should hoever not turn our back on the innocent masses because of the stupid decisions of their leaders. We should also desist from bringing the guilty to task!
Sam, Ghanaian

The west is responsible: it has supported the current Ethiopian leadership and has provided tools which helped the regime silence Ethiopians who disagree with the war and the "divide and rule" ethnic policy of the regime. The Ethiopian leadership and its media today is spending enormous amounts of money, energy and time in a senseless war with Eritrea, rather than attending to the tragedy of the famine. Many Ethiopians are languishing in its prisons, government officials insist that there are no political prisoners in Ethiopia. While the international community should do its best to avert further tragedy, Ethiopians should also be given an opportunity to challenge and change the power structure of the present government of Ethiopia through the coming election.
A. Maru, Ethiopian living in the Netherlands

As an American farmer it is all too obvious that the world has too much grain. It angers me to see children starve while grain prices are the lowest in history. The west has an obligation to provide this surplus to the starving. However we cannot be responsible for wars in Africa. The west needs to free itself from the corporate structure that is unfeeling to starving children and Africa needs to make the helpless a priority.
Jay Mc Ginnis, USA

The famine is causing a lot of suffering among ethnic Somalis and the Addis government is spending incalculable amount of money on the war with Eritrea. I blame the Ethiopian government because they could have averted the disaster. What was obvious is that the rain did not materialise, and the condition of eastern Ethiopia could have foreseen. The international community should convince the government that the aid package will be handled by the local NGO's.
Osman, UK/Somalia

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The west has a moral obligation to help the needy Ethiopians. The government was doing what it can

Desta, USA

The west has a moral obligation to help the needy Ethiopians. The government was doing what it can. Disaster is beyond control whether in Ethiopia, in Turkey, or USA or any place in the world. There is no rain. There is drought and famine. Ethiopia alone has no capacity to deal with all the problems. The west should by no means link this to the war with Eritrea. It is the west who is appeasing aggression. Life could have been much easier for the Ethiopians had the aggression by Eritrea did not occur.
Desta, USA

The famine in Ethiopia and the surrounding countries is all to do with the wars in the areas. If the Western countries really want to help, they should force the leaders of these countries stop the war. After all these countries are much weaker to resist like Serbia or Iraq. Starting a war for personal gains is crime against humanity, so for the sake of African peoples the west should enforce this.
K Abraha, UK

I think the perpetrators of war in Ethiopia should be tried for war crimes. Their crude approach to diplomatic issues, pride, and extensive ignorance are the primary causes of this present famine and starvation. If any food is ever sent at all, make sure no government official or soldier will have any share of it.
Omoboye, USA

Seems every other year the international community has to come to Ethiopia's aid over and over. Perhaps we should start to address the root causes of the famines rather than the immediate symptom? Seems to me the government in Ethiopia is at fault most of the time.
Stephen Kenney,

As an African from a rural village I feel ashamed every time we hold out the begging bowl. Don't these war mongers in Ethiopia feel the same shame?

Epie, USA

As an African from a rural village I feel ashamed every time we hold out the begging bowl. Don't these war mongers in Ethiopia feel the same shame? What is stopping them from growing their own food as others in peaceful African villages do? Senseless war and misplaced priorities. The Ethiopian government would rather invest heavily on war rather than investing in agriculture. And they have the temerity to "order" the world to give food to their people. What a disgrace.
Epie, USA

For how long is the international community going to turn a blind eye to the Ethiopian government's blunder and mismanagement of a potentially rich country. Not only that, the amount of money it is spending on planes, guns and tanks, makes a mockery of the international community's effort to save people from hunger. It is time to send a clear and loud ultimatum to the Ethiopian government to stop the war and focus on feeding its people under whose name it is fighting this 'useless war'
Martin, USA

The plight of the Ethiopian people is appalling. What is even more appalling is that there trouble was not created by a natural phenomenon. The starvation in Ethiopia is a direct result of mismanagement by the government. Instead of allocating funds to be used for agricultural development they buy tanks. Instead of building a surplus of food to be used in times of need, they buy planes. The solution to this problem is getting rid of the present Ethiopian Government. We can't do this for the Ethiopians, they will have to do it for themselves. If we don't send them aid now it may encourage them to oust their present leaders. It will cause a lot of death now, but it will save lives in the future. If we keep bailing their government out nothing will change for them or us.
Dave, USA

This is really a sad moment for us Ethiopians. It is true that the Europeans (not Americans) have been slow in responding to the current famine crisis. However blaming the donors is not right at all. Europe has absolutely no obligation to feed Ethiopians. As far as me and many Ethiopians are concerned, the main fault lies squarely on the Ethiopian government. It is completely incapable of devising a viable agricultural policy that is sustainable. It is true that drought is the main contributing factor for the current famine. But, this should not be so. Ethiopia has large number of big rivers ("Blue Nile, Awash, Wabi Shebele" to mention few), lakes (like lake Tana) and ponds across the entire country that can be used to feed the entire population (60million) and beyond that. Instead, the govt. finds $1m a day to conduct the war against Eritrea.
Feseha, Ethiopia

As an Ethiopian, I am amazed that there is even a drought. The International Community can not be blamed when even Ethiopians in the Diaspora have been informed of the situation a few weeks back. Mind you, the Ethiopian Defence Minister was buying Mig fighters and Helicopter gun ships in January. Was that a responsible act from a government who is at war because it can not agree to a peace plan that asks for both sides to declare a cease-fire before demarcation? To me the problem is not the International community but the monumental ego of the Ethiopian leadership who does not seem to understand that it is leading a greatly impoverished country and can not act accordingly
Berhane Ocbai, USA

I have seen some comments from people of African origin criticising Ethiopians for this famine. Ethiopia and Ethiopians are hardworking and descent people. They have, however, never been fortunate with governments; I suppose this applies to most African countries. The problem partly rests on the West as well. I believe, food self-sufficiency is a right for each individual wherever in the world. We should all do our best to fulfil this basic human right: not too much to ask....
Wossen, UK

No matter how much MORE aid is thrown into that country the majority will not go to the people who need it.

Graeme, England

A case of biting the hand that feeds. The Ethiopian regime is ENTIRELY to blame for the fate of the innocent Ethiopians about to die in their thousands, because die they will. No matter how much MORE aid is thrown into that country the majority will not go to the people who need it. Any government that can conduct such a barbaric war of attrition simply to save face is capable of anything to stay in power.
Graeme, England

It is rather a shame that certain countries and individuals in this world have hoarded for themselves massive wealth while others have nothing. The love of man is as cold as the North Pole. It's not like this world hasn't got the capability to put pumps everywhere. Those entrusted with wealth (West) have failed this world miserably. I'm ashamed to be American.
Jack, US

We are not talking about the government we are talking about the Ethiopian children that are hungry. By helping them we are helping ourselves. Helping one another is the only tool we have to protect our humanity.
M.J. Mohammed, Sweden

Blaming the international community isn't the solution to help the starving people. Think again. Wouldn't it make sense to stop the war with neighbouring Eritrea and feed your own people rather than accusing the west for not doing your job?
Daniel Kidane, Sweden

The Ethiopian Government is the only one to blame for causing the famine that is happening right now. The government deported Eritrean citizens and put a lot of Ethiopians into to hunger. The whole thing is sad, I do not know when we Ethiopians will be able to start to depend on ourselves and have an uncorrupted government?
Hal, Los Angeles

Instead of shopping for tanks and fighter planes, they should feed our people. They have nobody to blame except themselves.
Feleke Mulatu, USA

The government and the leadership has no moral ground to criticise the West.

Ethiopian fellow, USA

As an Ethiopian I feel so sad seeing my people starving. In my opinion the government of Ethiopia is the only responsible party for feeding Ethiopians and should be held accountable for all the life lost due to starvation. Wasn't the Government spending millions of dollars to celebrate the 25th anniversary in Mekele whilst innocent people were dying of hunger? That tells me the government and the leadership has no moral ground to criticise the West.
Ethiopian fellow, USA

Please stop criticising donors. A month ago the Ethiopian Government spent MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON MIG-29 AND HELICOPTER FIGHTERS to fight against Eritrea. They could have used the money to buy food. We told you the Government doesn't care who is dying. We also told them to use our port to transport food but they rejected the proposal, why is that� They want to starve more people to death each day.
Eyob, Eritrea

It is shameful for the Ethiopian Government to criticise the waste for slowing aid while they are spending thousands of dollars on an unnecessary war. The Government should first sign the peace proposal and make peace with its neighbours and use the money to feed its hungry people. I strongly suggest the international community especially the West should urge Ethiopia to ask the OAU peace proposal and stop warring on its innocent citizens. Our country's natural resource should be used to feed our hungry citizens not to make unattainable dreams. We have fought for many years that is enough. We do need war we need peace and tranquillity to feed our people and progress our country.
Habtamu Zelalem, Ethiopia

The Ethiopian Government claims that the ongoing war with Eritrea is not affecting the famine.

Sam, USA/Eritrean

The Ethiopian Government claims that the ongoing war with Eritrea is not affecting the famine situation in the north east of Ethiopia. But, this kind of response is really an insult to the intelligence of the International Community, especially the donor countries. Is the International Community to be persuaded that buying costly military armaments, fighter jets and other sorts of weaponry, instead of putting all useful resources to save the lives of eight million people has no effect on worsening the famine situation?
Sam, USA/Eritrean

I am shocked at the insensitivity of people in developed countries who, like the Finnish reader, pontificate that "you cannot have a nation that has to be bailed out and rescued every 10 years". Someone like him cannot possibly understand suffering of any kind. If Finland were situated where Ethiopia is, and suffered all the vagaries of climate and weather, then we shall see if the rest of the insensitive, luxury-drunk developed world bothers to "bail it out" each time it suffers a famine.
Paul Rozario, Singapore

Why is it that the western governments have ignored the very obvious signs that it was going this way? Why wait until now? There has been ample warning

Katie, UK

Why is it that the western governments have ignored the very obvious signs that it was going this way? Why wait until now? There has been ample warnings and it seems to me that western governments are only willing to react when there is media publicity. Furthermore, why wasn't more effort put into finding a solution to the border war, which I believe has made this threat of famine all the worse. The fact that this has been more or less ignored is disgusting.
Katie, uk

It would be so easily considered inhumane to restrict food aid to civilians in order to achieve a lasting and peaceful border. Could food restriction actually accomplish this? The border dispute grew to encompass targets not in the disputed areas since they supply the respective war machines. We should do what we can to stop this war. We have at our disposal incredibly accurate geographic maps. Find where pro-Eritreans and pro-Ethiopians lived, ask strongly for Ertitrea and Ethiopia to accept an international arbitration to decide a line of best fit. For those locals who end up on the "wrong" side of the line to move (home or land swapping) or accept naturalization in one of the two countries.
Geoff, Canada/UK

I think the Ethiopian government has no basis in blaming the donors. I strongly believe that Ethiopians should not be given free food every ten years. For how long are we going to feed countries that keep all its resources for military purposes instead of helping its people to increase the food production. I have personally travelled to Ethiopia and it has very fertile land and I can't understand why Ethiopia has to be fed by others. I am an African, but I believe this is a case of African stupidity - Misappropriating your own resources and then asking donors all the time for aid just like - Kenya and Zimbabwe.
Montgomery Lanier, USA

It is high time that the world stopped discussing and debating on these issues, people are dying, they DO NOT need to hear who is to blame for the "too little, too late" argument, they need food, and words alone are not sufficient to provide that!
Somi, UK

Our priorities are completely shot to pieces.

Bob, UK

I watched the BBC 9 o'clock news last night and your main headline was that the stock exchange had a computer glitch and only two thirds of normal trading could take place much to the annoyance of shareholders and investors. Shock! Horror! Outrage! You then covered the Ethiopian story pointing out how many innocent people will die very shortly. I think that says it all. Our priorities are completely shot to pieces.
Bob, UK

Possibly the Ethiopians would consider ending the stupid war with Eritrea and spend more time and money on their citizens. This would be more helpful than blaming the west.
Emeka, UK/Nigeria

Where are all the anti-globalisation campaigners now? It is our tendency to "leave alone" which causes these problems. Yes, let's give aid now, but let's also discuss how to modernise Africa. The Ethiopians are not our pets, they are very capable people just like us, and given the right tools and encouragement they can learn to help themselves via democracy, free trade, and industry.
Brendan Fernandes, UK

Yes, the West has been slow to respond to the crisis, but not as slow as Ethiopian government.

Abdurazak Mudesi, Ethiopia

Yes, the West has been slow to respond to the crisis, but not as slow as Ethiopian government. Didn't the Ethiopian Government know that there was no rain for a long time? Wasn't there enough warning to start calling for help, though the West wouldn't have heard. I would blame both the Ethiopian Government and the West.
Abdurazak Mudesi, Ethiopia

The West can no longer provide quick fixes to the starvation problem in Africa. It is long past due for the West to provide a long term commitment to this nation, to help establish it's place in the global market economy. The only way the West and African leaders can help achieve this is by ridding this nation of it's tyrannical war lords so that the aide that is given gets to the people instead of making the war lords rich. Talk is cheap and actions speak louder than words. Hopefully the EU conference will get things moving in the right direction.
Leanne, USA

What are the priorities in life? What are our Government's priorities? Where is the EEC or the United States? Where is Gordon Brown's 'War Chest'? Where is Claire Short? Where are the Television cameras and reporters? Where is the Christian Aid, Save the Children, CAFOD teams? Where is the publicity? I suppose everyone has much more important things to do.
Anthony, UK

Even though the donor countries have a moral obligation to save the hungry, the Ethiopian government has no right whatsoever to criticise the donors.
A Iyasu, London, UK

This and previous Ethiopian governments have had all the time in the world to rectify the repeated famine in their country. They have not done so but preferred either internal or external military exercises. I have no sympathy whatsoever for their call again and would not support any help unless they immediately stopped all armed exercises, sold the military hardware to those who can better afford such games and used the military reserves and obtained money to feed and relocate the innocent people of their country. I feel sorry for the ordinary Ethiopian people who cannot be held accountable for the situation but it has to change. You cannot have a nation that has to be bailed out and rescued every 10 years.
Mikko Toivonen, Finland

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