Jenny Edkins Whose Hunger? Concepts of Famine, Practices of Aid. - Reviewed by Abi Dymond

Written before the Make Poverty History campaign, this book expertly deals with one aspect of it: that of aid. Jenny Edkins uses examples from famine situations to criticise both the motivations behind, and the effects of, aid. This highly accessible account argues that aid can often make the situation worse, empowering undesirable governments and actors whilst cementing colonial style relationships between countries. As for NGOs that administer it, they are driven as much by concern for their status, their sources of funding and media coverage as they are by humanitarian imperatives.

In making such claims, the book is extremely controversial--less controversial, however, is its central point that aid must be re-examined and seen not merely in ethical terms but political ones. Overall, the point of the book is not so much to criticise as it is to question, and these questions are more relevant than ever given the attention surrounding the Make Poverty History campaign and its demands.