Belgium to provide psychological help to abducted girls' families

Brussels, May 11: Belgium has decided to send an exploratory mission Sunday to Nigeria to provide medical and psychological assistance to the families of the abducted schoolgirls.

"Foreign Minister Didier Reynders and Public Health Minister Laurette Onkelinx decided to send a small reconnaissance team of experts of the departments of Foreign Affairs and Public Health to Nigeria Sunday," Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced in a statement.

According to the statement, the mission of this team will last for three to four days and will determine if an eventual deployment of a medical and psychological team is required.

Based on the findings of the reconnaissance team, Belgium will decide whether to send its own team or propose or support a European initiative.

Countries such as China, Britain, the US and Canada have indicated their willingness to advise and support the country to help rescue the girls.

More than 200 girls of the community Chibok in Borno State in northeastern Nigeria were abducted in April.

The Islamist militant group Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the mass kidnapping on Monday, and threatened to sell the girls.

IANS