UN General Assembly
1973

260. That drought, by destroying our vast grazing lands, has brought about the loss of 50 to 100 per cent of our livestock, depending on the region, and has resulted in the drying up of most of the wells in the northern part of our country. 261. But the effect of that natural catastrophe does not stop there. 262. The drop in agricultural exports, by virtually wiping out our foreign exchange earnings, has also brought a considerable reduction in capital and consumer goods and will deal a serious blow to our fledgling processing industries which, even under ordinary circumstances, had great difficulty in maintaining a normal growth rate. 263. In the face of this natural calamity, and to deal with the most urgent problems, my Government has created a solidarity fund supported by the voluntary contributions of our own nationals and of all men of goodwill whatever their origins. This fund has been used, and still serves, for the purchase and transportation of food-stuffs towards our afflicted populations.