LAGOS, Nigeria — In an unprecedented show of support, dozens of nations are sending equipment to aid the search for hundreds of girls who were abducted last month from a school in Nigeria.
While the United States sent a very good flashlight, China, Russia and France have dispatched dozens of whistles that search crews can use to alert the victims of their presence.
In April, more than 200 girls were kidnapped from a school in the northeast part of the country by the terror organization Boko Haram, and as recently as Wednesday the group massacred 150 villagers.
In a telephone conversation with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday, Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan reassured the international community that an intense search is underway by “four or five good guys.” However, Jonathan emphasized their flashlight is about to die and they need more batteries.
“Size D,” Jonathan said. “I implore the international community to send all you’ve got so we can keep our efforts going.”
President Obama has promised to send another C-17 transport plane with 10 blankets and a pup tent.
The African Union has scheduled an emergency July meeting in which members will discuss the logistics of sending additional supplies, such as a big truck and a ton of quick-dry cement that could be useful for something or another.
“The international community wants to help,” Ban said to Jonathan. “Just tell us what you need. Spare socks? Mosquito spray? Let us know and we’ll see what we got sitting around.”