Zurich Citizens News, 1974-01-17, Page 10PAGE 10.
ZURICH CITIZENS NEWS
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1974
FIGHTING THE DESERT
A photo -story prepared by the Inter -Church Committee conducting the
campaign: "Ten Days for World Development" February 1-10, 1974.
With the Sahara Desert moving south at 500 metres a year, the
24 -million residents of the six African countries in its path have a
long, up -hill fight ahead to improve trees and plant life, produce
new water supplies and restock herds destroyed by the
catastrophic 6 -year drought which came to world attention last
summer.
Drought is not new for this part of sub-Saharan or Sahelian
Africa but usually it follows a cyclical rhythm. This time,
however, it has lasted for seven years, and the 1972 rainfall was
the lowest in 60 years.
Money channeled through the World Council of Churches has
been used to send a medical team to northwest Niger, to wage
war on plant lice infecting date palms, to provide veterinary
services to livestock in Niger and Mali and to seek water for
villages and pastures. In addition to $1 million already spent, the
churches around the world are asked to give $500,000 per year for
five years.
The "Ten Days for World Development" program, however, is
purely an educational project aimed at making Canadians more
aware of the needs and hopes of people in Africa and other Third
World Countries. Each of the five participating denominations —
Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian and United — will
focus on a joint educational program during the 10 days,
February 1 — 10, and the relief and development agencies of
these churches will conduct their own individual financial
campaigns later this year.
•
The poster carried by this African symbolizes
the plea of all Third World Countries. [World
Council of Churches photo.]
Mali refugee carrying precious water.
Upper Volta lost 80% of its cattle.
Food rushed into Niger by international agencies is
distributed at Agadez.
Unloading shipment of technical equipment at Accra
Trades Training Centre, Ghana. [Canadian Govern-
ment photo.]
With cotton crops destroyed, mills will soon be silent.
DEVELOPMENT DEMANDS JUSTICE
Planet. Earth has adequate resources, if fairly distributed, to support
the present human family, but not at current levels of consumption and
pollution by the rich nations.
The world's poor, including the poor in Canada, are outraged by the
growing gap between themselves and the rich. They are demanding
justice— not charity; the dignity of self-determination — not continuing
dependency.
The immediate need is for many more persons who are committed to
world development — persons not afraid of complex issues without
simple solutions, persons who will make decisions and take action.
The necessity for justice in the world is a concern shared by all persons
of goodwill.
Canadian resources, political example, and moral persuasiveness do
have an impact, and can make a difference for the future.
Dispensary at Agadez.
Unless otherwise noted all photos by
Salgado Junior, F.A.O.
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