/ 23 August 2005

Germany donates cash for Mali aid operation

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomed a cash donation from Germany for its aid operation in Mali on Tuesday. The German ministry for economic cooperation donated €500 000 (R3,9-million) for urgently needed food aid for the people in the West African country, according to a WFP statement.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomed a cash donation from Germany for its aid operation in Mali on Tuesday.

The German ministry for economic cooperation donated €500 000 (R3,9-million) for urgently needed food aid for the people in the West African country, according to a WFP statement released on Tuesday.

While there is not a widespread crisis in Mali, there are pockets of food insecurity, especially in the hard-hit north of the country where people are suffering from the consequences of drought and the worst locust invasion in 15 years. Children, in particular, are suffering from malnutrition.

Germany has already given the WFP €1,25-million (R9,9-million) for the aid operation in neighbouring Niger that is helping about 2,6-million people.

In Mali, the WFP plans to cover the food needs of 700 000 people in a nine-month emergency operation that will cost $13,6-million (R88,2-million).

Mali is ranked among the four least-developed countries in the world, with more than 60% of people living below the poverty line. — Sapa-DPA