Somalia's Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali on Wednesday called for increased international
support for Somalia as the country faces a devastating famine. Speaking at an open
meeting of the UN Security Council, he said the country needed support for their security
institutions, as well as humanitarian aid.
"Today, Somalia faces two alternative
futures," Ali said. "One is where the humanitarian relief effort is stepped up, the
international support force of AMISOM (African Union Mission in Somalia) grows and
can support the Somali Police and Army in building on the security gains made so far."
He
said Somalia is on its way to achieving objectives laid out in a roadmap it has endorsed
for building stable and permanent government institutions.
Bishop Giorgio Bertin,
the Apostolic Administrator of Mogadishu, told Vatican Radio the international community
needs to look to the long-term future of Somalia.
“We are already knew…that
the real problem was not really the lack of international response, or the lack of
solidarity,” said Bishop Bertin. “The response is there, and I can testify personally
that some many people have contacted me. The real problem is how to distribute the
means necessary for the people to survive, and perhaps also how to distribute help
which may have as its aim…development. That is the crucial aspect.”