2011-07-26 08:52:19

Horn of Africa crisis under the spotlight at UN summit


The crisis facing the Horn of Africa saw UN agencies gather for an emergency summit on Monday to press for vital funds to help a region suffering from severe drought and starvation.
Famine has been declared in southern Somalia, and more than 10 million people are thought to be at risk of starvation in the region.
The U.N. is pressing its efforts to gather $1.6 billion in aid over the next 12 months, with $300 million of that aid coming in the next three months.
Josette Sheeran, Executive Director of the World Food Programme, says she saw deep suffering during a recent trip to the region.
France's agriculture minister rebuked the world for "failing to ensure food security," and warned that famine could be the "scandal of the century."
Germany meanwhile, said it would be donating an additional (euro) 15 million in humanitarian aid for the worsening famine.
UN aid agencies say one and a half million people a day are receiving emergency food supplies in Somalia, despite claims by the militant group Al Shabaab that it is blocking access to many parts of the country.

Speaking at the summit, Rome-based U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization chief Jacques Diouf said that a coordination conference would be held in Nairobi, Kenya, on Wednesday. Listen RealAudioMP3








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