Given the fluid political situation, concerns have been raised that humanitarian assistance is given on an impartial basis.
"I don't know when they will stop coming to Ethiopia unless some great assistance is given in South Sudan".
"If assistance is given to us, there is no doubt that we can defeat the Taliban and also catch bin Laden," he said.
And who knows what other tax breaks and financial assistance are given to the various companies that support automotive and air transportation.
Food shortages are expected to peak between October, when supplies will run lowest, and March, when the next harvest is due, so the number of people in extreme need is expected to rise significantly if insufficient assistance is given.
Generous financial assistance was given by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund in the form of loans for specific development projects, including electricity supply, port development, and sewerage systems.
Assistance was given by a wide array of people who topped the "Friends of Bill" list: Harry Thomason, the television producer; Terry McAuliffe, the longtime Clinton fund-raiser and recently elected Democratic National Committee chairman; the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Harold M. Ickess, the former White House deputy chief of staff and senior adviser to Mrs. Clinton.
Already, far more economic assistance is given to Africa in the form of food aid than in funds for agricultural research and development, a trend that could continue if the public debate over organic versus industrial agriculture and genetic engineering grows more contentious.
