Baltimore (IOCC) - International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is appealing for funding to support its emergency relief efforts in the West African nation of Niger. IOCC, working with its ecumenical partners and the Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Nigeria, plans to respond to the rapidly escalating crisis by providing more than 400,000 doses of urgently needed multi-vitamins.

Niger - one of the world's poorest nations - has plummeted into crisis by recurring prolonged drought and a locust invasion last year. It is estimated that 3.5 million people are at risk of starvation, including over 1 million children. Additionally, almost four out of every ten villages in the country have been affected by the famine. Though Niger is a predominantly agricultural society, farmers lack seeds for sowing next year's crops, there is little feed for livestock (which are starving at alarmingly high rates), and many farmers are so weakened that they are unable to work their fields.

"Although Niger has often struggled with hunger issues, the recurring drought combined with last year's locust invasion has turned this recurring problem into a disaster," commented IOCC Executive Director Constantine Triantafilou. "We have set an initial goal of providing $300,000 in aid as a response to this crisis. While long-term solutions are necessary, we must do all we can to help keep people alive until the next harvest. We are especially concerned about the 800,000 children under age five at high risk of starvation."

IOCC's plans call for providing vitamins to the most vulnerable people in the crisis as an initial response. Together with appropriate food rations, vitamins can drastically reduce the risk of malnutrition and starvation, especially for children and the elderly.

IOCC is requesting cash contributions to assist some of the most vulnerable people and prevent future suffering. Donations in support of IOCC's emergency relief and development efforts in Niger may be sent to: IOCC, P.O. Box 630225, Baltimore, MD 21263-0225. Donations may also be made online at www.iocc.org or by calling toll-free 1-877-803-IOCC (4622). Please mark any contribution "Niger Famine Crisis."

Founded in 1992, IOCC is the official humanitarian aid agency of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA) and has delivered aid to 29 countries in the past 13 years. To learn more about its programs worldwide, please visit www.iocc.org.