Aid agencies launch Niger appeal

darubio

darubio

darubio

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Two major aid agencies have launched $10m (£6.7m) appeals for drought-stricken Niger in West Africa.

About seven million people - half of the country's population - face food shortages after crop failures last year.

Aid organisations Oxfam and Save The Children say the situation is growing more critical by the day.

Their concern is shared by the UN, which says the crisis is of a magnitude not seen before.

Save the Children says 400,000 children under five are at risk of starvation.

Oxfam says it will focus help towards a further two million adults who are facing severe food shortages.

The crisis, in the world's most under-developed nation, has been caused by a combination of a crop failure - following a drought last year - along with big increases in the price of many staple foods.

Continue reading the main story
The magnitude of this crisis has not been seen before

Khardiata Lo Ndiaye
UN Niger director
The UN's country director, Khardiata Lo Ndiaye, says the emergency is already worse than the drought in 2005, and says that help is needed quickly.

"The magnitude of this crisis has not been seen before. We need money now!" she said.

The UN currently only has just over half the funds it has appealed for to support the population until the next harvest, which is due in September.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/10362459.stm

Photos http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8750000/8750929.stm
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Terrible news this is!

Anyway those over paid footballers should give their 1 month wages if they can't even win on their matches in the world cup!


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I've just donated £2 to Oxfam :D
 
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You know I always feel guilty when I read something like this, purely because the first thing that pops into my head isn't "Oh those poor people" but "MOVE SOMEWHERE ELSE"

I mean surely there has to be a point where we realise that all we are aiding these people in doing is continuing to live in poverty.
 
I have no problem with people giving privately to charity, I do and I think it is a great thing if you can afford it.

However I am hoping the government wont see this and do a Labour trying to gain some bonus points and give away MORE money when we quite simply cannot afford it in the current climate. There should be no overseas aid budget until we are sorted.
 
Fenris said:
You know I always feel guilty when I read something like this, purely because the first thing that pops into my head isn't "Oh those poor people" but "MOVE SOMEWHERE ELSE"

I mean surely there has to be a point where we realise that all we are aiding these people in doing is continuing to live in poverty.
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I can understand what you're saying and it's sad to say that, i don't think poverty will ever be stopped! But every time i hear something like this just make me realises that i have something a bit better compared to these people.
Its just up to you either you look in the other way and ignore the situation or you can give something a little that can save someone's life!
Anyway this is just how i look at it! lol
 
The Mad Rapper said:
No. Don't help them. Mother Nature has to balance the World's population - leave her to get on with it.
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This tbh...

Unfortunate for those that die but then it's no difference to the people that sprout half a dozen kids over here but can't afford to look after them...
 
The Mad Rapper said:
No. Don't help them. Mother Nature has to balance the World's population - leave her to get on with it.
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You'd, of course, be saying exactly the same if you were in the middle of it all. If you're worried about the population of this planet, I assume you've decided to top yourself? ;)
 
The Mad Rapper said:
No. Don't help them. Mother Nature has to balance the World's population - leave her to get on with it.
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Maybe if the greedy West wasn't consuming Mother Nature's resources at a scary rate, She wouldn't have to balance the world's population by expanding the sahara desert into previously fertile ground. We have a responsibility to these people - maybe Obama can divert some of the $20bn BP slush fund in the direction of west Africa.
 
Dj_Jestar said:
You'd, of course, be saying exactly the same if you were in the middle of it all. If you're worried about the population of this planet, I assume you've decided to top yourself? ;)
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No need for that, just have 1 or two children. If everyone did that the population of the world would reduce. No need to kill people purpously, just allow nature to take it's course. ;)

Obviously there would be serious issues with an ageing population and the artificial growth an increasing population provide but... :p

scorza said:
Maybe if the greedy West wasn't consuming Mother Nature's resources at a scary rate, She wouldn't have to balance the world's population by expanding the sahara desert into previously fertile ground. We have a responsibility to these people - maybe Obama can divert some of the $20bn BP slush fund in the direction of west Africa.
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Actually it's the greedy wests technology that as caused the issue. No western medicine and other techniques and the population of Niger wouldn't be as large as it is now, causing less of a problem.
 
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