An extra contribution of €1 million has been promised by the Government through the Department of Agriculture and Food to provide food aid to famine victims in Niger and west Africa, it was announced last night. The contribution is in addition to the €1 million already pledged by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
"The food crisis affecting several countries in west Africa demands immediate and co-ordinated action by the international community," said Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan.
The contribution from the Department of Agriculture will go towards funding the purchase of food and logistics by the World Food Programme (WFP), which is distributing food aid through NGOs in the region.
Ms Coughlan said that it was additional to the normal monies her department made to the WFP. "It is absolutely appropriate that the Department of Agriculture, which has a strong and ongoing relationship with the World Food Programme should use available funds in this way."