Kate, it looks like Scheer is even more irresponsible than I thought. Check
this article out from May 1, 2001. Kakki
http://www.itn.co.uk/news/20010518/world/04afghanistan.shtml
US increases aid to Afghanistan
"If the international community does not take immediate action, countless
deaths and terrible tragedy are certain to follow" - Colin Powell, US
Secretary of State
The United States has announced a #43 million aid program for drought and
war-torn Afghanistan.
Secretary of State Colin Powell told reporters that nearly four million
lives are at risk and he warned that a widespread famine could be in
prospect.
"If the international community does not take immediate action, countless
deaths and terrible tragedy are certain to follow," he said.
Mr Powell said that the crisis stems from three years of drought coupled
with a devastating civil war that has lasted more than 20 years.
The new commitment raised the US assistance total for the year to $124
million, compared to $114 million for all of last year.
The donation includes 65,000 tons of wheat and other foodstuffs.
Funds also are being earmarked for health and shelter programs.
US aid to Afghanistan bypasses the ruling Taliban militia, which controls
the bulk of the country but has no official relationship with the United
States because of its alleged role as a sponsor of terrorism.
There are no US officials in Afghanistan managing the aid program.
The assistance is donated through international agencies of the United
Nations and non-governmental organisations.
Leonard Rogers, a top official of the Agency for International Development,
citing estimates by UN agencies, said the crop shortfall for Afghanistan is
estimated at two million tons this year, about twice the figure for last
year.
Rogers said precise information about the depth of the problem is hard to
obtain because war-related security problems inhibit in depth assessments by
US and UN officials and by non-governmental organisations.
"We have imperfect understanding of what's going on there," he said.
