VOA标准英语2010年-UN Gives 6 Million to Mothers In Niger

The United Nations is giving $6 million in cash from its Children's Fund to mothers in Niger so they can buy food amidst widespread hunger in that West African country brought on by last year's lack of needed rain for crops.

Vanessa Curney, a communications specialist for UNICEF, based in the capital Niamey, said that with the help of partners such as Save the Children, CARE and the Nigerien government, UNICEF is making monthly cash payments of $40 to mothers of children under two in the areas that have been most affected¹ by drought.

"It's given to the mothers, it's given to the women, and the idea is that women will use it in the local markets, so it further boosts the local economy, because the money is spent locally," said Curney.

A recent combination of drought, poor harvest and high food prices have placed more than 7 million people in danger of hunger in Niger. Curney added that cash for aid is appealing because of its cost efficiency.

In May 2010, UNICEF helped distribute food rations² to families in Niger. The rations were meant to exclusively feed children between the ages of six months to 23 months. Curney said, however, that people began sharing the food among the entire family, so they turned to cash to supplement the growing need.

The current cash for aid will last for three months.

"It actually started at the end of the August, so that was the first distribution," said Curney. "There are two more distributions to go, which will take us up into, I believe, October - perhaps just the beginning of November. The problem is that when you have a situation where kids are malnourished, it's going to take them time to get back to their proper weight, their proper level of health."

This year's harvest is set to begin in October in Niger, and despite some recent flooding, there are positive expectations for the result.

"It's still a pretty difficult, tough situation, because obviously you've had a long period of people not being able to eat properly. But there are glimmers³ of hope. We're hopeful that there is going to be a good harvest," said Curney.

The second round of cash distribution is set to begin this week, and the cash will be given in conjunction with food rations handed out by the World Food Program
 

1 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

2 rations   

定量( ration的名词复数 )； 配给量； 正常量； 合理的量

参考例句：

• They are provisioned with seven days' rations. 他们得到了7天的给养。
• The soldiers complained that they were getting short rations. 士兵们抱怨他们得到的配给不够数。

3 glimmers   

n.微光，闪光( glimmer的名词复数 )v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• A faint lamp glimmers at the end of the passage. 一盏昏暗的灯在走廊尽头发出微弱的光线。 来自互联网
• The first glimmers of an export-led revival are apparent. 拉动出库复苏的第一缕曙光正出现。 来自互联网