French Doctors Without Borders pulls out of Niger

Doctors Without Borders will leave Niger because the government unexpectedly terminated its medical and nutritional program in one of the country's drought-prone districts, an official announced. The president of Doctors Without Borders told reporters the government of Niger had closed down its program in the district of Maradi in July. The French branch of the aid agency has been working in Niger since 2001 and also runs a smaller health center in the country's north. In protest, the French branch of the organization will leave Niger, resulting in the closure of the smaller center as well as the one in Maradi. The Swiss, Spanish and Belgian branches of the aid agency will continue to operate in Niger.