Drought in the Sahelian zone of Africa
- Author(s):
- Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- SeeDoc. 3318, report of the Committee on Population and Refugees. Text adopted by the Standing Committee, acting on behalf of the Assembly, on 3 July 1973.
The Assembly,
1. Considering that the drought in the Sahelian zone of Africa has reached catastrophic proportions and is affecting an area of 5 000 000 km2 ;
2. Noting that, as a result of the drought and of the famine rife in this region, the life of 6 million human beings is in danger and countless persons have already been obliged to abandon their homes ;
3. Noting that the consequences of this drought, which has already lasted for more than seven years, will be particularly difficult to overcome in view of the serious damage to agriculture ;
4. Considering that Europe has a humanitarian duty to come to the aid of the populations of the distressed regions ;
5. Considering that Europe should continue its efforts to promote the development of the disaster-stricken regions with a view to raising their standard of living and ensuring harmonious, long-term Euro-African cooperation ;
6. Thanking those member States which have already made contributions in cash and in kind and also FAO, the World Food Programmes, UNICEF, the League of Red Cross Societies and other organisations which have established emergency assistance programmes ;
7. Conscious of the fact that the close links between many African countries and the European Communities impose on the latter special obligations which they have fulfilled by the very substantial gifts in kind they have been making to the countries in distress since 1969,
8. Conscious of the fact that the close links between many African countries and the European Communities impose on the latter special obligations which they have fulfilled by the very substantial gifts in kind they have been making to the countries in distress since 1969,
9. Addresses an urgent appeal to the governments of Council of Europe member States, calling on them :
a to make large contributions forthwith, in cash and in kind, to assist the populations of the African States stricken by drought ;
b to place funds and transport at the disposal of the organisations providing relief, so as to enable foodstuffs to be sent by air and then distributed rapidly inside the countries concerned ;
c to contribute by all appropriate means to the recovery of agriculture in the stricken regions and promote measures designed to prevent such catastrophes from recurring.
