Famine in Somalia

Michael Hiltzik, in his article “Somali--Anatomy of a Famine” (Sept. 24), paints a justifiably bleak picture of the crisis in Somalia. But we should think hard before we give in to despair and turn our backs on the 6 million people of this East African country.

I have been to Somalia recently and can assure you the images Hiltzik reports are accurate. Human dignity there is in a free fall. It is a country with very little to look forward to. For most, death is quietly accepted. And the road to saving just some of the nearly 2 million Somalis who may die in the next year is fraught with difficulty.

Granted, there is no easy answer, but to abandon its people would be morally inexcusable. Somalia, with all her problems, is a litmus test that will measure our compassion and commitment to the sanctify of life.

In an election year when so much emphasis is placed on valuing the family, Somalia asks us the more basic question, “How much do we value human life?”

Today, there are hundreds of relief workers throughout Somalia committed to saving lives, often while risking their own. These people deserve not only our admiration but our support.

In some way, the future of the Somalis is linked with ours. Let’s not give up easily on our future.

ROBERT A. SEIPLE

President, World Vision

Monrovia