UN General Assembly
1988

In addition to the serious economic difficulties, Africa has suffered natural disasters. Either simultaneously or one after the other, these disasters have undermined every effort, systematically threatening the progress made, and wiping out any assets. I am referring to the drought of recent years, the floods and the plagues of insects. Thus, in some parts of the continent, rain, which is generally considered to be a gift from heaven, a divine blessing, particularly at a time when drought had taken such a heavy toll, has turned out to be a real nightmare for the people. The rainfall has, in fact had serious consequences at the human, material, economic and social level, and has had profound negative effects, even for crops.