Save Starving Biafra – Scarce Student Mobilization for Biafra Button c. 1968-1970

Scarce and seldom encountered button from the humanitarian campaign surrounding the Nigerian Civil War and the catastrophic famine in Biafra. Bold white lettering on black reads “SAVE STARVING BIAFRA,” with “STUDENT MOBILIZATION FOR BIAFRA” around the lower edge.

Student Mobilization for Biafra was a New York City-based organization active during the Biafran crisis. Its existence is documented in the Swarthmore College Peace Collection, where a file devoted specifically to “Student Mobilization for Biafra, NYC” survives among the records of American organizations involved with Nigeria/Biafra. 

The Republic of Biafra declared independence from Nigeria in May 1967, beginning a civil war that continued until January 1970. By 1968, the conflict had produced an enormous humanitarian crisis as Biafra became increasingly isolated and shortages of food and medicine resulted in widespread starvation and disease. 

American students participated in relief campaigns through fasts, fundraising drives and petitions calling for increased humanitarian assistance. This button represents that lesser-known side of the era's student activism and is particularly desirable because it identifies the sponsoring organization rather than simply carrying a generic Biafran relief slogan.

Circa 1968-1970. An uncommon piece of Vietnam-era student activism relating to one of the major international humanitarian crises of the period.