Dead Aid: A Review

I recently read this challenging, eye-opening book. The author is a brilliant, well-educated lady who attempts to prove that aid to Africa, could in fact be dead. She offers a great perspective and a solid argument. The original idea of supporting developing nations was a good one. Over time this idea has become a bit distorted. One of her arguments is that aid never fully reaches the intended people it’s designed to help. Instead, it has found its way into dishonest, corrupt leaders’ hands who pocket the money for themselves. This is one reason why some foreign governments are hesitant to give more money. Officials over the years have watched as loans, grants have been misused. If you look at the facts of why people are weary to give any amount, one of the top reasons is this: does my money go where it’s supposed to and how can we promise that the money is doing the job in which it was intended? For the record, there are some fantastic organizations that do a great job of being ethical. Dead Aid is not challenging the notion of individual, non-profit organizations that have a heart to change the face of Africa's future generations. The author is actually challenging the large-scale, multi-billion dollar giving of direct government entities and organizations.

Much like the concept of welfare here in the U.S., foreign aid support isn’t meant to be a permanent band-aid. Accurately managed, funds have the potential to help with some of the challenges facing Africa. The author makes this point: if nations were to be cut off from future grants/loans, they would be forced to step up. Taking a band-aid off to expose the wound by no means is the prettiest thing, but sometimes it is needed. Moyo adamantly contends the bandage on Africa is aid. I think there is some merit to this. The issue of whether aid is dead or alive is a complex one. There are many factors involved when it comes to Africa (aid, war, post-colonialism, etc.). The continent has deep potential. In the book, she theorizes that the people are being hindered by aid. She uses an example of a mosquito net maker who loses his job because an aid organization gives out free ones. Well-meaning relief can have a bad effect on the everyday life of those it is meant to help. She offers another remedy to this. Microeconomics has the same effect as aid, but the money stays within the local economy. The local worker has a way of making a living and the economy is improved. Alternate solutions could be one of the key factors into decreasing poverty and ending the dependency on foreign help. I fully agree with this. If people know of other ways they can improve their lives, then they will likely take advantage of them.

Don't take my word for it! Add Dead Aid to your reading list for sure. It will open your eyes to what aid has become. It may give you a new perspective on Africa. It matches the heart of eXile in saying that the spirit and hope of Africans is alive and well, we just have to transform the way we are helping them. Great things are to come. And yes, I do believe aid is dead.

Alaina McKinney

Development Intern

**This book was recommended by Congressman Cooper of Tennessee. When meeting with him to discuss the LRA Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act of 2009, he insisted on challenging us to think outside of our individual organizations and see, from a different perspective, the effects aid has had on the continent of Africa. Thank you, Congressman Cooper, for challenging us.