Opinion: The Precautionary Principle Should Apply to Starving Children

The Swedish government's decision to end aid to starving children in Ethiopia, through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), is sharply criticized for its apparent disregard for the precautionary principle and basic humanity. The authors argue that while the government cites potential links to extremism as a reason for cutting support to Islamic Relief, it shows leniency towards its own migration minister, whose relative has ties to a neo-Nazi network.

“

Where is the logic? And above all, where is the humanity?

This decision comes amidst a backdrop of global humanitarian crises exacerbated by aid cuts. The article points to the closure of the U.S. agency USAID, which previously accounted for 47 percent of global aid, leaving an estimated 34 million people without vital support. In regions like Congo and Uganda, these cuts have dismantled crucial disease surveillance systems, leading to shortages of medicine, equipment, and personnel.

Furthermore, the article details restrictions imposed by the Israeli government on aid organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. These measures, implemented since March 1, have severely impacted hundreds of thousands of people already facing dire conditions of starvation, disease, and homelessness.

“

The precautionary principle applies: nothing has happened, but it could happen.

The authors question the logic and compassion behind Sweden's policy, particularly the decision to withdraw support from children in Ethiopia. They state that while the government applies a strict precautionary principle to aid recipients, potentially based on hypothetical future risks, it fails to apply the same standard to its own political figures. The consequence, they warn, is that these Ethiopian children will die.

“

And the precautionary principle does not apply to the Ethiopian children who will be left without support as a result of Sida's decision. They will die.