Drought And Aid In The Sahel: A Decade Of Development Cooperation

by Carolyn M. Somerville

Overview

The 1968-1974 drought in the Sahel was an unprecedented catastrophe for the region, causing extensive crop failures, loss of human and animal populations, political instability, and the destruction of social and cultural structures. The response of the world to the catastrophe began with food aid donations from the Western nations and led to the formation of two cooperative organizations—Comité permanent Inter-états de Lutte contre la Sécheresse dans le Sahel (CILSS, formed by the Sahel states) and the Club du Sahel (formed by donors and the Sahel countries). These organizations have attempted to help the Sahel attain regional food self-sufficiency and to make the region less vulnerable to drought. The recent recurrence of drought in the last three years, however, raises questions about the wisdom and the suitability of the developmenet strategies being pursued and the impact of foreign aid. Dr. Somerville analyzes the successes and failures of the development strategies, aid to the region, and the efforts of Sahelians and donors in overcoming drought and underdevelopment.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780367008543
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	09/18/2018
Pages:	330
Product dimensions:	5.69(w) x 8.69(h) x (d)

About the Author

The Hunter College Women's and Gender Studies Collective is made up of nine authors from various disciplines, all affiliated with Hunter's Women's Studies Department. The authors are: Linda Alcoff, Jacqueline Nassy Brown, Sarah Chinn, Florence Denmark, Dorothy O. Helly, Shirley Hune, Rupal Oza, Sarah B. Pomeroy, and Carolyn Somerville.

Table of Contents

Preface — Introduction: The Political Economy of the Sahel — Drought and Drought Relief Efforts — The Search for Development Cooperation — The Structure of CILSS: Administration and Operation — Support for CILSS' Operations and Functions — Support for the First Generation Projects — Conclusions: Drought and Development in the Sahel — Donors