Drought victims receive Red Cross emergency aid

Niamey, 17 Sept-(ANA)- About 300,000 farmers and pastoralists affected by the severe drought in northern Niger and Mali have benefited from a large scale emergency aid operation by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) since the beginning of May.

Jürg Eglin, head of the ICRC's regional delegation in Niamey, Niger, which covers both Niger and Mali said: "Finding water and providing food for the family has become a daily struggle, pushing people to their limits."

The ICRC is one of the few humanitarian organizations operating in northern Niger and Mali. The organization works closely with the Red Cross Societies of the two countries and coordinates its activities with the other humanitarian organizations and the authorities responding to the crisis. (ANA)

FA/ANA/17 September 2010-------------