20 Die in Stampede for Food Aid at Refugee Camp

Refugees in Niger hadn't received food previous day
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Feb 18, 2020 12:31 AM CST
20 Die in Stampede for Food Aid at Refugee Camp
In this Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010 photo, Valerie Amos, left, United Nations under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, is greeted by a group of children as she arrives at the airport in Diffa, Niger.   (AP Photo/Djibo Tagaza)

A local official says at least 20 people died in a stampede in Niger as they were being given food and goods at a refugee camp. Diffa governor Issa Lamine says 15 women and five children were killed and 16 others were injured Monday at the camp in the southeast for people who fled unrest in neighboring Nigeria, the AP reports. Those who hadn’t received food on Sunday stampeded early Monday at the distribution center, Lamine says. Boko Haram’s decade-long insurgency in northeastern Nigeria has killed tens of thousands and forced many more from their homes. An offshoot affiliated with ISIS also carries out attacks. (More Niger stories.)

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