Helping Somalia

I greatly appreciate the thoughtful and hopeful articles on the famine in Somalia. A tragedy of this magnitude should command the whole world's attention and call forth a massive response to help a country in such desperate need. As articles have pointed out, there are small but hopeful signs of progress both in negotiating protection for shipments of food aid and in the early beginnings of getting farmers back on their feet.

The United States should push for deployment of adequate United Nations peacekeeping troops and spearhead negotiations to allow for safe passage of food to those in need. Additionally, there is much that we could do to support long-term development and self-sufficiency in Africa. Our tax dollars should be allocated to support programs that help African farmers increase food production. It is painful to think about the depth of human tragedy in Somalia. B. Scott, Carson City, Nev.

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