Aid is not the solution to Africa's problems

Richard Dowden:

When a tsunami hits or war creates refugees, the victims can do with some help to get back on their feet wherever they are.

Humanitarian relief aid will always be needed when disaster strikes.

But the evidence that aid can transform whole societies and lift millions out of poverty is unconvincing.

It can only speed up a process that is already happening.

When we see scenes of destitution from Africa we assume that we can change things by sending money.

But if aid could make Africa prosperous, it would have done so by now.

Despite nearly a trillion dollars of aid since independence in the 1960s, much of Africa is worse off now than it was then.

Poll puts Live8 last in ways to aid Africa