Afro Will Sponsor Fast for Victims Of African Drought

If a thousand students agree to participate in a one meal fast on November 29, Harvard will send the money it saves to help victims of drought-stricken west Africa.

The Association of African and Afro-American Students is sponsoring African Fast Day with the help of Africaire, an organization with headquarters in Niger's Washington embassy which is coordinating relief efforts.

6 Million Deaths

The five year drought has devastated Mauritainia, Senegal, Mali, Upper Volta, Niger, and Chad. Afro says that the early estimate of Andre Coulbary, a Senegali official, that six million west Africans would die of malnutrition by the end of October has been "somewhat" reduced by international aid.

The Committee on Housing and Undergraduate Life, in ratifying Afro's proposal Wednesday, stipulated that a minimum of 1000 students participate in the fast.