I'd say this argument (as so many other posts on this topic) misses an important point: If all the resources we spend on Ethiopia goes toward feeding those needing it most at the moment, all we will achieve is that we will have to spend resources to that end for the foreseeable future.

There are in fact two issues competing for attention here, a) the immediate need for food and water, and b) the long-term need to build economy and infrastructure (as pointed out in a previous post somewhere). While certainly the first issue is most pressing and immediate (and undoubtedly most important for those affected), some resources must be spent towards reaching the second goal as well, and F/OSS may very well prove an important and cost-effective way of doing just that. It may seem cynical, but it is certainly not necessary to call anyone zealots...