Dublin Opinion

Thanks to Kassandra O’Connell for the information.

2008 marks the 40th anniversary of Concern’s first aid action - a response to the famine in Biafra in 1968. Recently, Concern deposited its film archive with the Irish Film Institute, and on 23 July the Irish Film Institute will be screening two films from the collection as part of the 40th celebrations.

From the IFI Website:

Night Flight to Uli is a Radharc documentary that highlights famine conditions in Biafra during the nigerian civil war. The film follows the journey of airlifted goods from San Tomé, an island off the West Coast of Africa, to Biafra for distribution to feeding centres and villages. A number of missionary and aid workers describe the bombing raids and fatalities they have experienced. President and army leader Colonel Ojuku comments on the western aid in the region and the irish government’s refusal to recognise Biafra as a nation. (1968 • 51 min.)

Meet Me in Khartoum portrays Concern’s relief efforts in the Sudan and Ethiopia, focusing on the stories of volunteers helping to run the public health workshops and medical centres in these famine-stricken areas. The film also includes interviews with Bob Geldof, who talks about the irish inclination toward charitable giving, and Mike Farrell of M*A*S*H fame, who comments on Concern USA’s efforts in Central America. (1986 • 30 min.)