TORONTO / August 17, 2005 - The
Canadian Catholic Organization for DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE has sent $100,000
in emergency aid to help victims of the devastating drought in Niger.
The funds were sent to Caritas Niger
in late July to purchase food. Like DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE, Caritas Niger
is a member of Caritas Internationalis, the international Catholic emergency
relief network.
The United Nations says 2.5 million people are facing starvation because of last year's disastrous harvest. The UN estimates that as many as 150,000 children might die of hunger.
DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE is the official Catholic overseas development agency for Canada.
Contributions can be made by telephone (1-888-664-3387) or by cheque (marked "Niger") care of:
DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE
5633 Sherbrooke Street East
Montreal (Québec) H1N 1A3
CONTACTS:
Toronto:
Jack Panozzo (416) 922-1592, ext. 222
CEL/MOBILE=5F 416-697-6505
jack.panozzo@devp.org
Montreal:
Philippe Doucet (514) 257-8711, ext. 400
philippe.doucet@devp.org