developing countries, whose answers to the economic crises of the 1980s were very different. The effect of those crises on their economies also varied: overindebtedness, declining export earnings, deteriorating social indicators, and decaying structures. Taken as a whole the countries of the South have found' themselves defenseless in the face of these problems and without the means to carry out the required reforms. The gaps between the developing countries have become much wider. Some countries that had shown promising potential were able to attain a certain rate of growth but are experiencing difficulties in penetrating an international system which the crisis has made less flexible and in which debt and protectionism are obstacles to any assurance of lasting gro,,,th. Others have achieved a balance at this time, but many countries in the South find themselves facing marginalization. This is the case in Africa, and more especially in sub-Saharan Africa, where the situation has deteriorated greatly over the last few years. Internal factors specific to each country have combined with those of an adverse international economic environment, in particular the decline in private investment and the combined effects of such diverse factors as drought, which has led to the desertification of extensive zones that were previously exploitable, endemic diseases as deadly as AIDS, which is spreading, and malaria, which is on the increase againJ and uncontrolled population growth higher than the rate of growth of the economy, which reduces to naught all attempts to improve living conditions for populations. The case of Latin America, whose efforts for development have been gravely compromised by a huge debt, also deserves all our attention. JVM./12 A/S-18/PV. 2 54-55 (Mr. Pelletier, France) The prospects for development are more satisfactory in Asia and in the Pacific, but this should not make us forget that that region includes some least-developed countries and continuing regions of poverty. 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the economic crises of the 1980s and their effects on developing countries, including overindebtedness, declining export earnings, and deteriorating social indicators. It also highlights the challenges faced by these countries, such as debt, protectionism, and internal factors like drought, diseases, and uncontrolled population growth. The text does not focus on specific sectors like agriculture, industry, or transport, but rather on the general economic development and humanitarian aspects of the situation.

**Category**
Economic development, Humanitarian aid and relief