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Niger

Morocco sends relief aid to Niger

Five planes left Morocco on Sunday and Monday to dispatch relief aid to Niger, where famine is looming amid a poor harvest.

The relief aid, made up of foodstuff and medicines, comes in response to the call made by the Niger's government to help the African country face famine.

Niger's trade minister, who was among officials who received the aid, extended thanks to HM king Mohammed VI for this important emergency aid, recalling that it is not the first time the country has contributed to helping the Republic of the Niger.

Hamid Ahmed pointed out, in a statement to the Moroccan TV channel, that Kingdom's help also covers education, training and new technologies.

The Nigerian official voiced satisfaction at the long-standing friendly relations between the two countries.

In 2005, Niger was hit by a drought and the crops were ravaged by locusts threatening some 3.2 million people with famine.

Mass starvation was avoided thanks to an intervention of the international community.

Niger's state media reported late March that at least 55 children had died of malnutrition since the beginning of the year.