Swiss balloonist Piccard gives hope to Noma children

The Swiss balloonist, Bertrand Piccard, and his partner in their round-the-world flight, Brian Jones (pictured), have donated SFr 166,000 to fight the deadly Noma disease which primarily afflicts children.

The Swiss balloonist, Bertrand Piccard, and his partner in their round-the-world flight, Brian Jones, have donated SFr 166,000 to fight the deadly Noma disease which primarily afflicts children.

Their Swiss foundation, “Winds of Hope” made its first donation to the World Health Organisation (WHO) to help African children facing the disfiguring and lethal disease.

The move marks the anniversary of their record-breaking accomplishment of circumnavigating the globe by hotair balloon. It was on March 21 last year that the duo touched down in Egypt and each year, a financial gift will be made with the objective of fighting against forgotten diseases, especially those affecting children.

The WHO says Noma is known as “the face of poverty” because it flourishes where poverty is greatest and nutrition and hygiene levels are lowest. It is a gangrenous condition which starts in the mouth and which rapidly destroys soft and hard tissue on the face. Very often, victims are rejected by their community as it is seen as an evil curse.

The WHO is aiming to raise awareness and resources to fight the disease which it says is reaching endemic proportions in Africa.

swissinfo with agencies