It is now over a week since major international relief organisations issued an appeal for helicopters to rescue flood victims in Mozambique. The response, particularly from first-world countries, has been shamefully inadequate. The region's most prosperous country, South Africa - to its credit - is leading the rescue operations and has more than a dozen aircraft operating mercy missions. Other countries have failed to match Pretoria's efforts.
The use of modern equipment by the South African army and air force is indicative of the new responsibility that country has been willing to take upon itself in the region since the end of the apartheid era. It is not very long ago since South Africa's defence forces operated in Mozambique for entirely sinister motives related to the preservation of its own racist regime. It is, therefore, an entirely welcome change to see Pretoria act with such efficiency and generosity to assist a country which was once regarded as one of its main enemies in the "Front Line States."
However, despite its relative prosperity in the region, South Africa cannot be described in international terms as a rich country. Its GDP per capita is tiny in comparison with that of first-world countries. Its economy and its currency have been under serious pressure for some time. South Africa should not, therefore, be asked to bear the brunt of the relief operation in the manner that it has done so far. There are countries in Europe and elsewhere capable of moving personnel and equipment rapidly and over great distances when their political and military interests dictate such operations.
In a situation in which thousands may already have lost their lives and many more find themselves precariously stranded on rooftops and small areas of high ground, the major military powers not only possess the capability to provide logistical assistance, they also have a moral responsibility in this respect. They have not done so.
Military experts in the United Kingdom, for example, believe that British forces have the equipment and the expertise to provide massive assistance to the current rescue operation especially in a country which is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Last night, the British government said it was considering the use of British forces' helicopters in relief operations.
Portugal, as the former colonial power, has a special responsibility to help in the relief operation. Zimbabwe's armed forces have committed large numbers of helicopters to a futile military campaign in the Democratic Republic of Congo that would be far better used in saving lives much closer to home.
Mozambique is one of the six priority countries for Irish aid and in this context the Government might have allocated a greater sum than the £400,000 it has contributed so far to the relief effort. At this stage, however, the supply of rescue equipment, in the form of boats and helicopters, is the priority and in this respect the developed nations have been found wanting.