I expect better of the UN and the EU, Teribus. But there's something else that worries me: On a number of newspaper websites (which is where I get my news these days) the "readers' comments" that follow each article show a great number of people taking the attitude "if the Africans can't sort out their own business, then I will think twice before donating/volunteering etc next time there is a call for help from them"...

It's totally the wrong attitude of course, as it is likely to penalise the poorest for the inadequacies of their leaders, but I see a rising tide of opinion that looks ugly.