Qatar aid workers in north Mali

Four members of Qatar’s Red Crescent Society are in northern Mali to evaluate the humanitarian needs of a region cut off from foreign aid groups since being seized by armed rebels, the organisation said yesterday. “We came to Gao (north-east) to evaluate the needs of the population in terms of health, and the supply of water and electricity,” said a member of the team who identified himself only as Rachid. “We will leave very soon to return with the necessary items.” “We are the Qatari Red Crescent, and we are here only to help the population, there is nothing else, nothing else,” said Rachid. The occupation of northern Mali has led to a serious humanitarian crisis at a time when food is already low due to a severe drought across the Sahel.