WE have all been horrified by the tsunami and the heart-rending pictures and stories which have come to us on a daily basis.

The dramatic and violent change of mood from the leisurely atmosphere of the holiday scene to the sheer terror of the invading ocean has been beyond our imaginations.

It is poignant that the tsunami has co-incided with the launching of the 'Make Poverty History' campaign for, sad to say, there are tens of thousands of human beings throughout the developing world suffering and dying day in day out in an undramatic way.

They, like the Indian Ocean victims, are threatened with lack of food, medicine, clean water and sanitation and loss of livelihood but unlike those victims their plight is caused by unjust systems of debt repayment, trade and aid which the rich world presides over.

The campaign is designed to tackle this situation. It is to join with this national - indeed global - campaign that clusters of people in the Ledbury area are meeting to see that the massive goodwill and overwhelming public financial response to the tsunami, shown on the front of last week's Ledbury Reporter, is harnessed into positive action to work for a fairer world.

In this uniquely important year of the UK presidency of the G8 and the EU, Ledbury must and will play its part.

A planning meeting will take place under the guidance of Merryn Hellier, Christian Aid co-ordinator for Hereford, at 7.30pm on January 28 at the Methodist Church, The Homend, Ledbury.

It should be stressed that this is not just a 'church thing'. Anyone would be welcome who can take this campaign into their particular sphere of influence in the area.

More details can be had on 01531 631529.

Jean Warren, Floyds Lane

Wellington Heath.