In response to the food crisis in Niger caused by a combination of severe drought, a massive locust invasion, and 2004's poor agricultural season, Rainbow World Fund (RWF) is launching a Niger Relief Campaign.

3.6 million people in Niger are at risk of starvation, 800,000 of them children. Hundreds of thousands of Niger's children are showing signs of severe malnutrition. Even prior to the current crisis, Niger was struggling; the United Nations ranks the country as the world's second poorest, with many people living on less than $100 a year. The already fragile economy is at risk of collapsing. Many businesses and schools have closed. The country's livestock have been devastated. To survive, many farmers have been forced to eat next year's seed stock, only adding to the spiraling crisis.

Rainbow World Fund is partnering with Africare to help Niger. Africare is the oldest and largest African-American- based humanitarian aid organization. Africare was established 35 years ago in response to the 1970 Sahelian drought in Niger, and has been working there ever since. Additional funds are needed to enable RWF-Africare efforts to reach more people before it is too late. "This unique partnership is bringing the LGBT and African- American communities together -- in a powerful way to help heal the world," said Rainbow World Fund founder Jeff Cotter.

To maximize the impact of its fund-raising efforts and to build bridges, RWF is partnered with:

• HIV/AIDS: With Africare to provide HIV education and linkage services in South Africa.
• Landmines: With Adopt-A-Minefield(r) to raise funds for Cambodian mine field clearance.
• Water: With WaterPartners International to increase safe drinking water access in Honduras.
• Hunger: With CARE to assist in Asian tsunami recovery and maternal health in Haiti.

Since 2000, Rainbow World Fund's mission has been to promote lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgendered (LGBT) philanthropy in the area of world humanitarian relief. RWF provides a united voice, a large visible presence, and a structure to deliver LGBT charitable assistance to the larger world community. "RWF helps people in need by raising awareness and funds to support existing relief efforts around the world," said RWF founder Cotter."