01/06/2012  - 

Today is International Children's Day, when parents and communities around the world celebrate their most precious asset – kids. The desire for a happy and healthy childhood for one's children is universal, but not all children can enjoy it in reality. In the Sahel region of Africa, for instance, over a million children are threatened with acute hunger.

To raise more awareness of this problem and the European Union's action to help the malnutrition victims of the Sahel, Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva is today opening the photo exhibition ‘The Children of Sahel’ in Sofia. The photos were taken by Bulgarian journalist Kiril Vulchev during the Commissioner's visit to the Sahel region this year.

The images show the horrible toll of hunger on the most vulnerable members of the population – but also the hope for salvation, recovery and a better future, brought by humanitarian assistance. As one of the major donors in the region, the European Union is committed to alleviating the hunger crisis of the Sahel and bringing to its children the promise of a better future.

You are welcome to see the exhibition in the Zaimov park in Sofia, outside Theatre Sofia. The opening is today, at 18.30. The team of organisers includes the European Commission, Darik Radio, the Sofia Municipality and Theatre Sofia.