Friends of Niger (FON)

Friends of Niger Respond to Niger's Famine

The food crisis in Niger has finally come to the world's attention over the last month. Posted below are links to websites accepting donations and some excellent media resources.

Many Friends of Niger have sprung into action; here is just a sampling of the activities that we have been alerted to. Please send any additional news to Bill Stein for posting in the next edition of the Camel Express.

Gabriella Maertens' article in the July Camel Express inspired many to make donations to aid agencies and/or write letters to newspapers and government officials about the need to address Niger's famine. Portions of the article were reprinted in the Buenos Aires Herald. It also led to Asia Relief's offer to ship a a container of food, vitamins, and medical supplies to Niger.
Friends of Niger donated group funds to CARE and World Vision. The board also wrote a letter to USAID urging an increase in food aid and received a response from USAID describing their efforts in Niger.
Randy Brown organized a fundraiser in central Vermont that sent $5500 directly to affected populations in Gueladio, Niger. He has also added depth to coverage of the famine in the Barre Montpelier Times Argus.
Several Portland-area RPCVs are organizing a benefit event for Mercy Corps' famine relief efforts in Niger. It will be held Tues, Sept 20 from 6:00 to 8:30 pm at Ciao Vito, 2203 NE Alberta Street in Portland, Oregon. Contact Shari Exo for more information.
On Aug 8, John Risley devoted his monthly folk music show on Portland's KBOO community radio to the Niger food crisis. Between African songs he encouraged listeners to make donations on aid agency websites.

Please Donate What You Can

Friends of Niger encourages all to visit one or more of these websites to donate much-needed funds toward aid agencies working directly in Niger. Be sure to designate your donations for famine relief in Niger.

Action Against Hunger (programs in Maradi, Dakoro, and Tahoua)
Africare (35-year involvement in programs throughout Niger)
CARE (programs in six of Niger's eight regions)
Catholic Relief Services (programs in Dogon Doutchi, Ouallam, Tanout, and Tillabéri)
Islamic Relief (programs in Ouallam and Tillabéri)
Concern Worldwide (programs in and around Tahoua)
Lutheran World Relief (programs in Maradi, Tahoua, and Tillabéri)
Médecins Sans Frontières (programs in Aguié, Dakoro, Keita, Maradi, Tahoua, and Zinder; but no longer soliciting donations for Niger)
Oxfam (assisting nomadic people in Maradi, Tahoua, and Tillabéri)
Save the Children (providing food and supplies to thousands of families in the most acutely affected areas of southern Niger)
United Nations World Food Programme (coordinating all bulk food distributions in southern Niger)
World Vision (programs in and around Zinder)

August 2005