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UNICEF set to aid children trapped aboard alleged slave ship off Africa coast

UNICEF set to aid children trapped aboard alleged slave ship off Africa coast

UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, has set up a centre in Benin to assist the children who are aboard an alleged slave ship that has not been seen in four days since it was turned away by authorities in Gabon and Cameroon, a UN spokesman said today in New York.

Fred Eckhard told a press briefing that the centre had been established in Cotonou, in collaboration with the Government of Benin and local non-governmental organizations.

"All UNICEF offices in the area are on alert and UNICEF has got the agreement of the Government of Equatorial Guinea to allow the boat to dock should it come ashore in that country," the spokesman said.

An unknown number of children are reported to be aboard the vessel, which left Benin two weeks ago.