Your comments: Addicted to Aid

In Mulago's labour ward newborns and their mothers lie on the floor

Thank you for sending us your comments on Panorama: Addicted to Aid

The debate is now closed but a selection of your views are published below.

Panorama: Addicted to Aid was shown on BBC One at 8.30pm on Monday 24 November 2008.

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We found the reporter challenging and informative and felt that it raised some important issues. However we feel the programme potentially left the viewer with the impression that aid is futile and that Western governments and non-governmental organisations are misguided in their drive to donate funds to such a hopeless cause. The programme would have benefited from a broader overview of aid, including the conditions international donors place upon aid packages and that political corruption in Africa is largely used as the sole scapegoat for the underdevelopment of the continent. Corruption is a deep set and widespread problem in Sub-Saharan Africa however fairer and stronger trade opportunities would create a stronger population with a louder democratic voice, the conditions which aid donors put on desperate countries directly prevents this. In the mean time aid is absolutely necessary, but needs better accountability.
Batters and Pook

Another brilliant report from Samura. Brilliant because he brings it straight from the 'frontline'. There is nothing more poignant than the words of the people themselves. I lived and worked in Latin America for several years where corruption is endemic in all institutions and harms those who most need help. I have helped organise collections of non perishable food items for the United Nations World Food Programme in Ecuador having been told that it would be redistributed to those that need it most only to see reports months later that it has to be thrown out after having been left in poor conditions in warehouses where it deteriorated beyond being suitable for human consumption. Samura's report highlights the solution with Dr Mohammed Barrie and the excellent work being done at the clinic - Working directly with local people rather than middle men. I thought that this was now common knowledge and feel that it demonstrates gross negligence and a huge lack of understanding of International Aid agencies and the western government departments administering this aid. Where is the accountability?
Kerry Lowes

The danger with last nights programme is that it will re-enforce some peoples belief that it is a futile exercise to give aid. We know that corruption exists but money does get to where it's needed, (see Adama Gondor's Slum Diary on the BBC Website) Rather than not giving we should be pressurizing our government, aid agencies and charities to be more accountable about how our money is spent.
Peter Harrison

Panorama's Addicted to Aid illustrated the pitfalls of financial aid provided to African countries by our well-meaning western governments. This is likely to confirm the prejudices of many here in Britain who believe that providing charity to Africa is a waste of time, and may be harmful to the hugely beneficial work done by many charities who work directly at the point of need. I am a volunteer ambassador for the charity Send a Cow, which promotes sustainable organic farming in East Africa. In visits to Uganda, Ethiopia and Zambia I have seen how donations are truly effective when they are channelled through grassroots organisations. By working closely with communities, Send a Cow is able to develop practical programmes that respect local culture and properly address the local needs. With locally based staff, they can supervise their programmes effectively and ensure that all funds are spent wisely and remain to circulate in the district economy. I have been moved by the sight of families who are transforming their lives thanks to the generosity of the UK public. Surely it is plain that it is better to invest in the expertise of small-scale specialist organisations such as Send a Cow, and to accept that charities administered by farmers engineers or doctors (and like professionals)represent best value for money. Western governments should invest directly in small-scale, specialist organisations such as Send a Cow, that will deliver long-term results.
Geoffrey Williams

The problem of aid leakage has been known about for many years...i believe a lot of unnecessary leakage occurs before aid even leaves this country..a direct system as highlighted at the end of your programme is the way forward..if for example the bee keepers had their own appeal via a website, i would willingly give money knowing that my money is going directly to their account...too simple? maybe.but its a thought that could be worked on, in this age of computers and communication it shouldn't be too hard and would cut out the people most willing to get rich from our donations. By whatever means obviously direct donation straight to the need is best.
Gillian Threadgold