The U.K. Department for International Development is providing an additional 4.5 million pounds (USD6.7 million) to address a severe food shortage in Niger and Chad.
More than 4.6 million people suffer from hunger in Niger and Chad. Poor rainfall and rising food prices have worsened the food security situation in the two African countries.
The assistance will be channeled through the World Food Program, UNICEF, Oxfam and Save the Children. It aims to help feed 325,000 people in August and treat 8,000 more malnourished children.
U.K. Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell urged other donor countries, including France, to heighten response to the food crisis in Chad and Niger.
“We cannot do this on our own, which is why I will be speaking to my French counterparts [including French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner] to urge them to join us in taking action,” he said. “I call on other leaders to increase their response to this crisis before it’s too late.”
