AFRICA/NIGER - “Hope is slowly returning in the hearts of the people and we thank the Holy Father for sending money to help feed the hungry here in Niger” the Archbishop of Niamey tells Fides

Niamey (Fides)- "I wish to thank the Holy Father for sending through Cor Unum a considerable sum money to help our people suffering the consequences of severe drought here in Niger” said Archbishop Michel Christian Cartatéguy of Niamey capital of Niger a country with a serious food shortage (see Fides 28 May 2005). “Other Catholic agencies are also sending aid” Archbishop Cartatéguy told Fides.
“Some countries have already sent aid and others have promised to do so. We trust they will keep their promises” the Archbishop said. “Hope is slowly returning in the hearts of the people especially after recent abundant rainfall. However there will be no harvest until October - November and in the meantime Niger must rely on help from abroad” Archbishop Cartatéguy concluded. The country has urgent need of seed. The United Nations Food and Agricolture Organisation FAO has launched an appeal for 4 million dollars to purchase seed for Niger and to replenish reserves of animals lost in the drought.
UN emergency aid coordinator Jan Egeland has appealed for 30 million dollars for food aid in Niger. Egeland said he had received “encouraging promises” from the European Commission, a number of European countries, Arab states near Niger and the United States. Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Belgium, European Union, United Arab Emirates, Denmark, Germany and United States have promised donations amounting to 10 million dollars.
England said the food shortage attects at least 800,000 children and that 150,000 seriously undernourished children could die.
The UN agencies say that 4 of the 12 million people in Niger are facing a serious food shortage. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 20 luglio 2005 righe 28 parole 345)