Continued from here ...

Here's an article looking at new figures from India's National Family Health Survey that indicates nearly half of that country's children are malnourished.

With about 46 percent of children underweight _ a negligible improvement over the last survey, conducted in 1998-99 _ India is in the same league as nations like Burkina Faso and Cambodia. In China, Asia's other rising economic power and the country India so often compares itself with, only 8 percent of children are underweight.

UNICEF's take on this?

Such statistics show India "should be worried," said Werner Schultink of UNICEF. "It's going to be difficult for India if wants to use its human resources to develop the nation but does not make improvements."

Duh. And how very helpful.

And I'm not sure this does any more good, but it does show the UN is teaching lessons on how to talk the talk:

Legislators from the lower chamber of Deputies on Social affairs Committee have urged Rwandans to consider seriously the plight of orphans by extending support to them. The Parliamentarian led by the committee vice-President, Deputy Dr. Ezekias Rwabuhihi and Libertha Kayitesi, said orphans are the most marginalised group of people in the country, and need urgent attention from all Rwandans to help them be part of the community and with better social welfare conditions.

Nice words. No action attached. Oh! There was this:

Legislators from the lower chamber of Deputies on Social affairs Committee have urged Rwandans to consider seriously the plight of orphans by extending support to them. The Parliamentarian led by the committee vice-President, Deputy Dr. Ezekias Rwabuhihi and Libertha Kayitesi, said orphans are the most marginalised group of people in the country, and need urgent attention from all Rwandans to help them be part of the community and with better social welfare conditions.

Well, then, that should do it.

While we're in Africa, here's a story on Ethiopian adoption that features the somewhat notorious Cheryl Carter-Shotts. Since a lot of people have a lot of opinions, I'll simply leave you with the link and let those interested do and think as they will.