Drought in horn of Africa:

At AMISOM compoundDROUGHT Addressing the media with TFG leadershipAddis Ababa, 1 August 2011 – During his visit to Mogadishu, Somalia, on Friday 29th July 2011, the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Mr. Erastus Mwencha, stressed the importance of coordinating efforts in order to address the current drought crisis in Somalia, “which remains one of the most challenging places for proper intervention of humanitarian assistance”, he noted. Conveying AU’s support to the population and States afflicted by the drought in the Horn of Africa, the Deputy Chairperson reiterated AU’s commitment to mobilize all parties involved in view of addressing the current crisis which affects more than 3 million people in Somalia alone as well as the conditions that have magnified this disaster.

Deputy Chairperson Mwencha also met with the high command of AMISOM and was briefed on the progress made on the military front by the African troops fighting the terrorist group Al-Shabaab. “Somalia remains one of the most dangerous places in the world and I would like to praise the efforts of the African soldiers, who are here risking their lives to uphold the rule of law. I am taking note of your requests and the support you need to complete this operation successfully,” he declared. Meanwhile, Mr. Mwencha paid tribute to the 303 soldiers who died on the ground and those who were injured.

At the Presidential House where he met Sheik Sharrif Sheik Admed, President of the Transitional Federal Government, Mr. Hassan Sharif Sheikh Aden, the Speaker and the Prime Minister Mr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, the Deputy Chairperson discussed the current political and humanitarian situations in Mogadishu, compounded by an influx of more than 400,000 refugees from regions under the control of Al-Shabaab where humanitarian response is difficult.

Visiting refugee campHe visited one of the estimated 150 refugee camps that have sprouted in Mogadischu, taking note of the difficult conditions of humanitarian intervention in the camps.

Further to the appeal issued by the Chairperson of the AU Commission to Member States, the African Union, in collaboration with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), is organizing a pledging conference on the 9th August in Addis Ababa, to mobilize cash and non-cash contributions in favour of the 11.5 million people whose livelihood have been destroyed due to the persistent drought in the Horn of Africa. To date, USD 500,000 have been donated to UNHCR by the AU.

The African Union invites all stakeholders to contribute to the dedicated bank account: 

AFRICAN UNION HORN OF AFRICA DROUGHT RELIEF

FCY ACCOUNT NO. 02702/953184/00

COMMERCIAL BANK OF ETHIOPIA

AU BRANCH

ADDIS ABABA ETHIOPIA 

SWIFT CODE: CBETETAA