University of Virginia Library

UNICEF

The UNICEF - Alpha Phi
Omega appeal for funds to feed
starving children in Biafra and Nigeria
deserves support from students
and faculty. Few among us
really doubt that the disastrous
conditions of women and children
there are as serve as portrayed by
the news media. We also recognize
both sponsoring organizations for
their records of charitable works.

UNICEF's international appeal
makes the local effort part of a
general concern for suffering humanity.
The symbolic fast and the
associated gift of money offer a
minimal opportunity for each of us
to share in the alleviation of suffering.

Just a year ago, these same
organizations remind us, they conducted
a drive for starving people in
India. In the intervening year we
have heard about famine in The
United States and in other parts of
the world. We are also constantly
reminded that the world faces widespread
famine, perhaps even in the
next decade. Against this background
of frequent appeal and
fear-inducing predictions, we
should expect small comfort unless
this University and others initiate a
kind of effort that is most suitable
to their special talents and resources.

Alpha Phi Omega might consider
extending its service commitment
to the world food problems
to develop a University-wide study
of strategy for dealing with this
problem in depth. Such a commitment
would give us more enthusiasm
for participation in even the
token effort now requested.

A general effort must begin
somewhere, however. As with many
appeals that have come earlier, I
shall ask of myself, as shall others,
whether this one offers fresh approaches
to solving underlying
problems.