Mayer Says Ethiopian Leaders Tried to Hide Mass Starvation

The West African famine is striking worst in Ethiopia, and the Ethiopian government has deliberately refused to recognize the severity of the crisis until the past few weeks, Dr. Jean Mayer, professor of Nutrition at the School of Public Health, said yesterday.

David L. Dance '74, coordinator of the West African fast on November 29, said yesterday approximately 180,000 Ethiopians starved to death last week.

"Ethiopia's government has acted as if there was no crisis at all by trying to hide the problem," Mayer said. "The governor of the worst-hit province failed to even report the food shortage."

Mayer said the United States, the United Nations, Common Market countries and religious organizations have shipped "plenty of food, probably as much as is necessary" to the six stricken African nations. "The problem now is to reach the distant nomadic peoples who haven't been driven to the cities out of the sub-Sahara."

"There is a question as to whether the famine is the result of a six-or seven-year drought or a massive movement of the Sahara to the south due to overgrazing," Mayer added. He pointed out that from Roman times through the 12th century Libya had been irrigated and fertile. Poor agricultural practices led to Libya's present aridity, he said.

The Harvard-Radcliffe African and Afro-American Students organization plans to raise about $1500 for the relief effort, Dance said. Thus far 2241 students have signed up to fast from dinner Thursday night and contribute their meal rebate to the Afro drive.

Kay A. Lacosse, executive dietitian of University Food Services, said last week that each student who actually fasts Thursday night will donate 70 cents, while another 70 cents will be retained by Food Services for overhead costs.