Our track record is a pretty strong indication that we can't help them. We're capable of easing the symptoms, but not solving the problem. That's for them to do. Meanwhile, we're pouring resources into a big burning fire. If people want to continue to pour their personal resources into the fire, that's fine, and noble; on a national level, it's none of our business. What are we going to do? Redraw the borders? Hold peace conferences? Have you got any bright ideas? Let's invade and stop all these atrocities OH WAIT THAT OBVIOUSLY DOESN'T ****ING WORK.

Were you for or against the war in Iraq? I may be incorrect and if so, I apologize, but I bet you were against it. OR at the very least, I bet you're against us being there now and/or remaining there. Guess what? It's the same deal. You want to send an army (military or not) to impose our will on the Africans, have fun fighting yet another guerilla war until the end of time, only this time the battleground is an entire continent. But no, you're right. Your mentality is better. Your way, we all get screwed over.

While not about the particular problems in Zimbabwe, this guy has some good ideas about turning the African continent around. He notes that people never get wealthy from receiving aid. You need entrepreneurs to generate wealth within the system.

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/andrew_mwenda_takes_a_new_look_at_africa.html

I don't feel like listening to that whole thing right now, but I like what I'm hearing so far. Fix Africa, not with foreign aid, but with economics.

this! foreign aid only helps till the money or food runs out. then your in the same place and need more foreign aid.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/12/world/africa/12cholera.html?hp

The first page of the article is sad... the second is downright depressing.