W. Africa appeal support urged

Press, 19 February 1983, Page 21

W. Africa appeal support urged

The emergency in West Africa, caused by thousands of foreign nationals being forced to leave Nigeria, will escalate, according to the director of Christian World Service, the Rev. Brian Turner. In Ghana, where there were more than a million returnees, an estimated 400,000 tonnes of food would be needed, said Mr Turner.

“Add to this the desperate shortage of medicine to counter a typhus threat and lack of finance to meet other basic needs and it can be appreciated that Ghana faces massive internal upheaval," he said.

Togo and Benin, which each had more than 200,000 returnees, were expected to face similar crises. The

situation would be worsened by a second wave of returnees who were expected about the end of this month. Immediate action was needed to help the people displaced and to slow the exodus of people from Nigeria, said Mr Turner. The National Council of Churches, of which the Christian World Service is a division, has organised a West Africa Emergency Appeal which was launched earlier this month.

The world-wide $1 million appeal will provide money for tinned food, medical aid, and water for people returning to Ghana, Benin, and Togo. Corso is also receiving donations to help the returnees.