Tons of food supplement used to combat malnutrition in women and children is being airlifted to Niger, the U.N. World Food Program said.
About 950 tons of corn soya blend is arriving in the famine-stricken African country aboard 10 chartered flights jets to Niger's capital, Niamey, said the agency.
Last week, the United Nations food agency appealed for triple the funds it had requested to deal with the crisis in Niger. Officials said the worst invasion of crop-devouring locusts in 15 years and a drought has placed 2.65 million people at risk of starvation.
"We are pulling out all the stops to feed our beneficiaries as fast as possible over the next six weeks," said Khaled Adly, acting World Food Program regional director for West Africa.
"Since many families now rely on only one meal a day, having used up all their food reserves, these rations are delivered just in time."
© Copyright 2005 by United Press International
