pmd@cbdkc1.UUCP (Paul M. Dubuc) (03/26/86)
The starving people in Africa have not been making front page news for a while now, but the need is still critical. Without the media attention that this crisis has received, the situation would no doubt be very much worse. Yet the media can only focus on events for only so long before they become "old news". The actual crisis has outworn its welcome as a newsworthy event, but it persists nonetheless. Unfortunately, there is a tendency among most of us to forget what's going on when we aren't being reminded. The impression is that the crisis is over and, consequently, our giving drops off. This puts puts relief organizations in a bind and they are put in danger of loosing the gains they have made toward relieving the problem. I would like to share some excerpts from a fund raising letter I received yesterday (dateed March 19) from World Vision: "... You see, it looks like the absence of front-page news focusing on the famine in Africa has led people to believe the crisis is over. As a result, man people have stopped giving at a time when thousands of lives depend on our work. Virtually every relief organization has felt this same effect. "... When the crisis in Africa became known, we launched massive projects in Ethiopia and nine other African countries to help save as many lives as possible. And we made commitments to stay until the job is done. "I'm talking about commitments to help provide emergency food, medical care, and long-term development that affect the lives of literally millions of people still trapped in the deadly grip of famine and disease. " ... during the next 30 days, at least 30,000 more people in Africa will die from the tragedy the world is forgetting. ..." A sustained effort (lasting longer than media coverage can) is needed to get the starving people of Africa back on their own feet again. Please consider giving what you can through your chosen relief organization involved in relieving this crisis. Consider giving regularly until the job is done. If you don't know where to give, I would suggest World Vision. It is a very effective and reputable organization. The address for funds ear-marked for Africa relief is: Africa Emergency World Vision Box O Pasadena, CA 91109 If you have questions about World Vision, you can call them at (818) 357-1111 or (818) 357-7979. Thanks, -- Paul Dubuc cbdkc1!pmd