‘FAILED’ FAMINE RELIEF

In “Has Eritrea, Where Africa’s Famine Began, Been Forgotten?” (by Dennis McDougal, Oct. 19), it’s implied that pop charities such as the U.S.A. for Africa and Band Aid Trust/Live Aid Foundations, etc., have “completely failed.”

Throughout the pop charity campaign, most of The Times’ copy has been critical and discouraging of these efforts. I’d like to see an article on the good that has happened as a result of the donations, and find out what still needs to be done.

You say the pop charities have failed. I say they’ve only just begun to fight the war on hunger and hopelessness. Please help us to know more, to do more. “We Are the World”--collectively and individually and responsible for all of it. At least some are doing things to change it.

BARBARA ARNELLO

Camarillo