Ask the UN to Provide Aid to the Displaced Malian Refugees!
- par: Care2.com
- destinataire: U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
Mali's violent rebel uprising has caused 22,000 people to flee the country, seeking refuge in bordering nations. Niger, which was already suffering a severe food and water shortage, has taken in nearly half of these people.
The influx of 10,000 people has stretched resources even thinner. Health problems are rampant. Local wells have dried up. Children and adults are dehydrated and malnourished, and most people can no longer bathe, prompting fears of a cholera epidemic.
"We must fear a humanitarian catastrophe if nothing is done," said Boureima Issaka, a member of an aid group from Niger.
Tell the UN that these refugee camps are in terrible need of food aid and water in addition to basic relief items, as Niger can no longer support both the refugees and their own citizens.
Dear UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon:
I am writing to express my deep concern for the severe food and water shortage that the citizens of Niger and the 10,000 displaced persons from Mali currently face.
The influx of 10,000 people seeking refuge from the violence in Mali has stretched resources even thinner, causing refugees and citizens alike to be extremely susceptible to health problems and disease. Wells are drying up leaving people are unable to bathe, and forced to drink unsafe water or become dehydrated. The lack of food has prompted malnourishment and starvation.
[Your comments here]
Niger can no longer do this alone, and it would be inhumane to turn away people whose lives are being threatened by violent radicals in their home country. This is why it is important for the UN give aid--specifically of food and water-- to Niger.
I urge you to help prevent a looming humanitarian catastrophe from escalating. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your name here]
