Madam, - The global solidarity of the past two weeks is encouraging, given the complete indifference shown to so many humans in other parts of the world.
In two weeks the international community has responded with billions of dollars, granted a debt moratorium and developed a crisis management plan for the region. A great response by any yardstick, though anything less would have diminished our humanity.
For those struggling in Africa who have access to media, the past two weeks must have made difficult viewing. I have no doubt that despite their own suffering, and in many ways because of it, they would have great empathy at this time with the Asians. But there must be many other emotions going through their minds.
Why is it OK for 75,000 children to die each year in Africa from malaria and for 2.3 million people die each year from AIDS, leaving 10 million children orphaned, given that both these diseases are eminently treatable.
Why is it OK that the millennium goals agreed by the wealthy nations in 2000 are not going to be met? Why is it OK that for every dollar given in aid to Africa, two dollars are lost because of unfair trade policies? And why is it OK that the money spent on agricultural subsidies in the European Union equals the total income of all 689 million people living in sub-Saharan Africa?
Why is Africa treated with such callous disregard?
It would be a further tragedy of the tsunami if the plans to make 2005 a breakthrough year for Africa were lost. We must not let this happen. - Yours, etc.,
MARY DONOHOE, Chairperson, The Rose Project - Aids in Africa, Merlyn Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.