The AU special emergency assistance fund for drought and famine in Africa approved emergency relief assistance to Somalia

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AU and UNWFP Holds Joint Press Conference on Drought Situation in the Horn of Africa

The PRC Sub-Committee on the Special Emergency Assistance Fund for Drought and Famine in Africa (SEAF), at its 18th Extra-Ordinary Session, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 14 July 2011, approved a grant in the sum of US$300,000 to the people of Somalia affected by the worst drought in the Horn of Africa. The grant which is a symbol of solidarity with the people of Somalia will be used for the purchase of food and nonfood items to the affected population within Somalia and in the refugee camps in the neighboring countries. The grant will be executed by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

The Sub-Committee conveyed its deepest condolences to the drought affected people of Somalia and the Horn of Africa in general and called upon Member States of the African Union, Regional and International Organizations as well as donor agencies and the international community at large to provide the required financial and material support to Somalia and the affected countries in the region to enable them overcome the enormous challenges caused by the undesired situation.

At this meeting the Sub-Committee also considered the Financial Situation of the Special Emergency Assistance Fund for the Drought and Famine in Africa which is continuously deteriorating due to lack of voluntary contributions. In this regard, the Sub-Committee recalled the important role played by the Fund in saving the lives of millions of African brothers and sisters in the past 27 years, and once again called upon all Member States of the African Union to make voluntary contributions to sustain the operation of this instrument of mutual solidarity.