The poorest and most vulnerable people in the world live in sub-Saharan Africa. The continent is being ravaged by HIV-AIDS, conflict, food insecurity and natural disasters. In spite of this, there are hopeful signs as communities, governments and the international community seek to find new ways of reversing this economic and social decline. Yet in 2001 total aid flows to Africa, a continent of over 30 times the population of Iraq, amounted to a little over $16 billion. This is a stark comparison to the $33 billion pledged to Iraq at the Madrid conference. Surely, the energy and commitment devoted to Iraq and its recovery should be equally bestowed on the countries of Africa. Their needs are equally pressing. The poorest of the poor of Africa deserve the same commitment, the same energy and the same support as those in Iraq.