Dealing With World Disasters

In Column One (“Burnout Hits Relief Network,” May 4), CARE’s manager for Asia is quoted, “It seems there is a disaster not only of the week, but of the day,” while another article reports 100,000-plus people in Bangladesh killed by a cyclone. All of the charitable organizations that merely send goods to disaster areas are fighting a hopeless battle. Disasters will occur less frequently only when aid includes adequate family planning information and supplies sent to Third World governments who are serious about halting population growth, which must include raising the status of women.

The population of Bangladesh is growing about 3% per year, so the 100,000-plus killed will be replaced in less than two weeks. And, then, an ever more overpopulated country can sit waiting for the next cyclone or whatever to hit.

BEN ZUCKERMAN

Los Angeles