Donor countries to support stricken Lake Chad region

CAIRO, SEPT 4 (SEE): Donor countries pledged $2.17 billion to the drought-stricken area around Lake Chad Reuters reported on Monday.

U.N. humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock said:"A famine was averted in the region last year largely thanks to international aid, but millions of people in Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon were still in dire need of help."

At a conference in Berlin attended by more than 70 states, international organisations and non-governmental organisations, donors pledged this sum would be made available "over coming years.

Germany, pledged an extra 100 million euros for humanitarian aid in the region up to 2020.