Somalis Burdened With Too Much Foreign Aid

Somalis Burdened With Too Much Foreign Aid
March 16, 1967
March 1967
Mogadiscio, Somali Republic
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Coping With Help Becomes Big Economic Problem; Little Shown for Millions Spent - This nation receives more foreign aid per person than any other underdeveloped country in Africa and shows almost nothing for it. The country is about as poor as it was when all the aid started. In fact, coping with aid has become a major economic problem. "Our problem is how to make use of the aid we have now," said Prime Minister Abdirazak Haji Hussein in an interview, "not get more of it." "It's easy to receive aid," he continued, "but it's not equally easy to make use of it." Abdirazak said foreign aid had created burdens for the country because Somalis - almost 90% illiterate - often lack the managerial skills and the capital to use and run plants, equipment, and other gifts. In addition, loans make up 42% of the foreign aid, and this country has difficulty repaying them...
Coping With Help Becomes Big Economic Problem; Little Shown for Millions Spent - This nation receives more foreign aid per person than any other underdeveloped country in Africa and shows almost nothing for it. The country is about as poor as it was when all the aid started. In fact, coping with aid has become a major economic problem. "Our problem is how to make use of the aid we have now," said Prime Minister Abdirazak Haji Hussein in an interview, "not get more of it." "It's easy to receive aid," he continued, "but it's not equally easy to make use of it." Abdirazak said foreign aid had created burdens for the country because Somalis - almost 90% illiterate - often lack the managerial skills and the capital to use and run plants, equipment, and other gifts. In addition, loans make up 42% of the foreign aid, and this country has difficulty repaying them...
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