From: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu (Rich Winkel)
Subject: FCNL: ASSISTANCE NEEDED FOR DROUGHT VICTIMS IN AFRICA
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: PACH
Distribution: na
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1992 19:12:24 GMT

/** fcnl.updates: 23.0 **/
** Topic: G-227FOR Drought in Africa **
** Written  3:13 pm  Aug 18, 1992 by fcnl in cdp:fcnl.updates **

ASSISTANCE NEEDED FOR DROUGHT VICTIMS IN AFRICA

ISSUE:  The worst drought in living memory has
struck the ten nations of southern Africa. 
Millions of people from Angola, Botswana, Lesotho,
Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa,
Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe face starvation
unless aid is received immediately.  In the Horn
of Africa, drought conditions exacerbate the
trauma experienced by the people of this war-
ravaged region.  

UN Secretary General Boutros-Ghali has issued an
appeal to the international community, and aid has
been pledged.  The United States Agency for
International Development, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, and the Bureau of Refugee Programs of
the Department of State have sent food and dollar
assistance totaling $382 million.  But more is
needed.   


ACTION:  In the next few days, the Senate
Appropriations Committee will begin to debate the
fiscal year 1993 foreign aid appropriations bill. 
Aid to Africa will be included in the bill.

     One of your senators is a member of the
important Appropriations Committee, and one of its
relevant subcommittees.  Now is the time for you
to write or call your senator and express your
concern for the people of southern Africa.  Give
the following specific message.

1.  Members of the Foreign Operations
Subcommittee:

Leahy, VT       202-224-7209       *Kasten, WI    
202-224-7274
Inouye, HI      202-224-3934        Hatfield, OR  
202-224-3753
Johnston, LA    202-224-5824        D'Amato, NY   
202-224-6542  
DeConcini, AZ   202-224-4521        Rudman, NH    
202-224-3324
Lautenberg, NJ  202-224-4744       *Specter, PA   
202-224-4254
*Harkin, IA     202-224-3254       *Nickles, OK   
202-224-5754
Mikulski, MD    202-224-4654    

The message:  Support the $80 million, one-time
appropriation earmarked for drought relief already
appropriated by the House of Representatives.  The
funds would be administered by the Office of U.S.
Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) and would cover
costs associated with the transportation and
storage of food supplies.

2.  Members of the Agriculture Subcommittee:

Burdick, ND     202-224-7240        Cochran, MS    
202-224-7337 
Bumpers, AR     202-224-4843       *Kasten, WI     
202-224-5323   *Harkin, IA     202-224-3254      
*Specter, PA     202-224-4254
Adams, WA       202-224-2621       *Nickles, OK    
202-224-5754
Fowler, GA      202-224-3643        Bond, MO       
202-224-5721
Kerrey, NE      202-224-6551 

The message:  Support increased funding, to $860
million for Title II Public Law 480 food aid. 
This level of funding will ensure that food aid
will be available to meet the emergencies in
Africa and around the world in 1993.

Byrd, WV, chair of the Appropriations Committee    
 202-224-7200  
* senator serves on both subcommittees.      



BACKGROUND:  The rains in southern Africa
generally begin in late October and continue
through early March.  In 1991, the rains in
November and December were plentiful.  Farmers
planted at record levels and bumper crops were
predicted.  But then an El Nino weather pattern,
not unlike those experienced in Africa in the mid
'80s, struck with deadly force again.  The maize
(corn) crop had not yet formed kernels on the ears
when the rains simply stopped in January of this
year.  Crop failure estimates range from 50 to 90
percent.  Countries of the region which normally
export food will face their own food shortages
this year.  And the effects of the drought will be
felt until at least April 1993 even if the rains
return in November.

----------------------
Populations at risk

About 40 million Africans are
threatened by malnutrition due to
the current drought, according to
United Nations estimates.

Nation             Population       
                     affected

Angola              1,377,000
Botswana              100,000
Ethiopia            7,000,000
Eritrea             2,180,000
Kenya               1,161,000
Lesotho               170,000
Malawi              5,700,000
Mozambique          3,150,000
Namibia               332,720
Somalia             2,000,000
Sudan               7,490,000
Swaziland             250,000
Tanzania              800,000
Zambia              1,700,000
Zimbabwe            4,600,000

Source:  UN World Food Program.
** End of text from cdp:fcnl.updates **

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