Page 22 - DIVA_7_2004_No.16

F South-Africa

A corresponde
and Zambia here is also plaguing most of the

rest of Africa, many Asian coun-
tries, most of Latin America and
even parts of Europe-then we
shall get the real picture of the
frontline where a battle for future
generations is being waged.

It is also a matter of combating
poverty, the ideal terrain for the
activities of this killer, because it
Some twenty journalists, most of total destruction of the enemy-a is here that the consequences of a
them veteran war correspon- new sort of genocide threatening lack of preventive measures and
dents, met last month at our planet. the difficulties in financing
Johannesburg airport in order to expensive treatments for the vic-
join their hosts in a quick visit to You have guessed it by now. The tims are most visible. Those who
the new frontline. Nothing like war we were to see and describe, have the means may count on
the events in Iraq or Rwanda or, a dangerous one, is being fought remaining alive in this part of the
for that matter, the war waged in against ... malaria! We all know world, provided they find their
the former Yugoslavia at the end that over a million men, women way to a hospital within 24 hours
of the last century. There would and children die every year, vic- following the bite of the deadly
be no chance to describe clashes tims of this terrible disease. But, mosquito. The poor do not have
between armies. We did not see a if we add the $12 billion that is that privilege.
single armoured car or aeroplane, lost annually in this unknown
with the exception of those spe- tourist paradise where tourists do Even if the price of medicines is
cially chartered to fly us first to not wish to risk their lives, if we falling, the distances and the limi-
Zululand and then to Zambia, know that every 20 minutes a ted time to reach the hospital make
where a fierce war is being child dies of malaria and if we it difficult, if not impossible, for
waged with the intention of the are aware that what is happening these people to be optimistic.

20 Diva 7.2004