1.
SV Sign 'Port D' Abidjan
0.03

2.
GV Ships on quayside
0.10

3.
GV Supplies unloaded from ship
0.16

4.
GV Men arranging supplies outside dock warehouse
0.26

5.
CU ZOOM OUT Sorghum sack from United States
0.34

6.
GV PAN supplies pile dup on dock
0.50

7.
SV Workers putting grain into sacks
0.58

8.
CU Grain from EEC
1.02

9.
GV Workers putting grain on to truck
1.09

10.
GV Truck ZOOM INTO pile of supplies behind truck
1.15

11.
SV Supplies being loaded on to truck (3 shots)
1.34

12.
SV Truck leaving
1.36

13.
GV Another truck leaves dock
1.46



Initials OS/1637 OS/1651



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Thousands of tons of food meant for the drought-stricken lands of Mali and Upper Volta lie heaped up on the dock at Abidjan in the Ivory Coast.

Even though the food is being taken inland at a rate of 4000 tons a day, there is still a massive backlog to be moved before the rains at the end of july make the dirt roads impassable. Unless it reaches its destination in time, thousands of people in the outlying districts may face starvation.

The deliveries from Europe and America have not been staggered, and there are not adequate storage facilities in Abidjan.

The problem is aggravated by the fact that it is the rainy season and the sacks of sorghum and grain lying at the dockside have to be covered with tarpaulins to prevent them rotting.

The railways can only handle about 10,000 tons a month. An urgent appeal has gone out to transport owners to mobilize and get the food to its Destination.

The size of the crisis in the Sahel region was recognized last year, but officials estimate the relief operation is scarcely and more advanced this year. Transport remains the major stumbling block.