Thousands need help

Catholic Relief Services helps refugees in Mali conflict

A boy stands near destroyed vehicles Jan. 24 in Diabaly, Mali, which was recently liberated by French and Malian forces from Islamic rebels. CNS photo / Eric Gaillard, Reuters.

Catholic News Agency is reporting that Catholic Relief Services is working to assist tens of thousands of refugees in Mali as the clash between government and rebel forces continues.

"Peace is their main need," Sean Gallagher, Catholic Relief Services' Country Representative in Mali, said of the refugees. Refugees with host families in rural areas still have access to food from "a relatively good harvest."

The fighting in Mali began in April 2012 after a military coup provided Islamist fighters and Tuareg rebels the opportunity to seize northern Mali.

The Catholic Relief Services website is www.crs.org.

For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.