.- Bishop Michel Christian Cartateguy of Niamey, Nigeria, expressed his thanks to Pope Benedict XVI this week for the donation made in his name by the Pontifical Council Cor Unum for those suffering from the drought and hunger that is affecting that African country. “I wish to thank the Holy Father who has sent us an important donation through Cor Unum,” Bishop Cartateguy told the Fides news agency.
The bishop noted the work and assistance that other Catholic organizations and other countries have provided in order to address the problem of the drought. He added that the help “has been pouring in during recent days” and that it has given “ray of hope to the people.”
“With the return of the rain season, the harvest is expected in October or November, and therefore the assistance that will be sent to Nigeria in these next few months to help the people is vital,” Bishop Cartateguy noted.
A recent report by the UN warned that in Nigeria, 800,000 children are suffering from famine, while more than 150,000 are suffering from serious malnutrition and are in danger of dying. The report also indicated that of the 12 million inhabitants in the country, 4 million are in danger of starvation.
