UN launches $2M appeal for countries along the Sahara
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — The United Nations and humanitarian agencies are appealing for nearly $2 million to help millions of people facing malnutrition and violence in countries along the southern Sahara desert.
Assistant Secretary-General and Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Sahel, Toby Lanzer, said Wednesday the humanitarian situation in the region is dire, and climate change, poverty and increased violence are undermining the futures of those living in its vulnerable countries. He said more than 23 million people will not have enough food to eat in 2016, and nearly 6 million children under five will face acute malnutrition.
Lanzer says the situation has worsened in the Lake Chad region, where Nigeria's Islamic extremist group Boko Haram is launching attacks. Insecurity in Mali also means refugees remain in neighboring countries.
