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joinafrica features |
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 Annan
visits Niger to keep world focused on humanitarian situation
Secretary-General Kofi Annan heads
to Niger tomorrow to continue the United Nations drive to keep the
international spotlight on one of the world's poorest countries,
where an early end to last season’s rains, locusts and chronic
long-term poverty have caused severe food shortages and put nearly 3
million people at risk.
“The trip is intended to show solidarity with the people and
Government of Niger and also to help focus international attention
on the special developmental challenges faced by the countries of
the Sahel, such as Niger,” said a UN spokesman today.
Mr. Annan will begin his two-day trip in Zinder, in the south of the
country, where he will be welcomed by President Mamadou Tandja. He
will visit the pediatric service at Zinder Hospital and then head to
a local feeding centre operated by MSF-Switzerland.
On Thursday, Mr. Annan is expected to meet with the President and
Prime Minister in the capital, Niamey, while there he will confer
with UN and humanitarian staff and attend a meeting on food
security, facilitated by the UN World Food Programme (WFP). He is
also expected to attend a meeting on local development and
democracy, facilitated by the UN Development Programme (UNDP).
Asked if Mr. Annan would be appealing for financial contributions
for Niger during his visit there, the spokesman noted that the UN
had already issued an appeal, and that the Secretary-General would
be working to raise awareness on the need to fulfil it.
Source: UN News
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