| Addressing a corps of journalists, Ali, his wife and Walden met reporters at the Hotel Nikko in Beverly Hills, on north La Cienega Boulevard, and appealed to the world's governments, corporate America and the public for an immediate and sustained response to the humanitarian crisis in Rwanda.
Walden praised Ali for his commitment to turning world attention to the suffering in Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania. "Mr. Ali's call to the children of the world", Walden said. "In dozens of countries, he promotes tolerance and diversity and inspires many millions of people by his example."
Speaking in a hushed, almost intelligible voice, Ali said he will do what he can to help the masses in Rwanda, but acknowledged that the problem is greater than his resources. His wife Lonnie, spoke on his behalf for most of the news conference, reading from a statement: "With 600,000 refugees returning home to Rwanda from Zaire and up to 700,000 displaced inside Zaire as a result of renewed conflict, there is a need for providing the things they will need to survive - food, eating and cooking utensils, medicine, shelter, clothing and water."
Rwandans who have recently returned to their homeland, were surprised to find that their homes and fields have been taken over by squatters whom the Rwandan government promises to eject within two months, a difficult task which authorities say may lead to renewed ethnic conflict.
The UN Security Council has resolved to send military forces to ensure safe passage to Rwandans desiring to return home from neighboring countries. Canada will lead a force, which may include up to 11,000 troops.
The U.S. government has committed humanitarian assistance and logistical support up to $140 million. The aid has been delayed, however, and a relief plan is still under negotiation.
The UN's World Food Program has stated that there remains a critical need for non-food items such as medicine and shelter material, trucking and transport services and bilk clothing. Authorities say that providing enough food will be a long-term problem as the ownership of most of Rwanda's farmland is in dispute and there is not enough food for the current population.
Ali urged Americans and the world community to give generously in support of relief efforts, adding that he pledges to help 1 million children in Rwanda survive the tragedy.
Operation USA, a 17-year old Los Angeles based relief and development agency, recently sent a shipment of antibiotics to Rwanda with a medical team and is gathering emergency and medical relief supplies for shipment to other relief programs in the region.
In the 1984 Rwanda crisis in which 800,000 people perished in fighting between warring Tutsi and Hutu tribes, Operation USA sent nearly 100 tons of medicine to Rwanda for United Nations and other local relief groups and also funded the refurbishment of a local health center.
Said Walden,"We appeal to the public for funds as well as for corporate contributions of bilk supplies in the areas of medicine, nutritional supplements, clothing, water purification equipment, shelter materials, cooking and eating utensils and transportation.
"We acknowledge a large food donation from VitaPro, a Montreal-based food supplier, and hope other corporations will follow VitaPro's example. Hunger and disease are again beginning their deadly course. Time is short if we are to avoid a repeat of 1994". |
