President calls on West to act, praises Turkish role on Somali crisis Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has said scheduled visit of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Somalia would be a historic gesture. Sheikh Ahmed, who came to Turkey to attend Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting, responded to the questions of A.A correspondent. Somali president said Erdogan's visit would not only display determination and will of Turkish people and government to stand side by side with their brothers and sisters in Somalia but also underline the problem and how assistance could be made to Somalia. Sheikh Ahmed said OIC meeting was important as participating countries were of the same opinion to extend assistance to Somalia and made several commitments, noting that Turkey's president, prime minister and people assumed the leading role on the issue. Sheikh Ahmed said not only the countries that were friends of Somalia but also all the Islamic countries noticed the difficulty of the situation in Somalia and started to take action to assist Somalia in the summit. Asked to comment on the stance of the developed countries against the difficulties, Sheikh Ahmed said they believed Western countries would notice the role of Turkey and some Islamic countries and start to make contribution. He said some Western countries made some contribution but it did not even approach to the needed amount. Ahmed said Western countries did not assume the role expected from them. Somali president said he wanted to relay the message to the world that children and defenseless people died in the 21st century. "Somalia expects particularly the West to play a more influential role in prevention of the problems," he said. Referring to Erdogan's scheduled visit to Somalia, Sheikh Ahmed expressed gratefulness to Turkish people who showed great interest in assistance campaigns launched for famine and drought-hit Somalia. Somali president said Turkey and Somalia did not only have Islamic but at the same time historical and cultural ties. Sheikh Ahmed said there were things to be made in the long term for solution of the famine in his country. He said Somalia was not a poor country, noting, "we have many resources. Our target is to restore stability regarding current situation. However, we are of course looking at future. We want to focus on boosting agriculture and stock breeding. We want to use all natural resources we possess and take measures that can build future with a sustainable economy. I would like to relay to international community the message that Somalia's problem does not stem from the current famine. Somalia has been living in environment of non-confidence in the past 20 years. This environment played an important role in actual problems." He said international community did not assume responsibility in solution of those problems and the current situation to some extent stemmed from it, "We hope it would end and Somalia could move forward a promising future from now on," he underlined. "Turkish calls relief organizations" Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Wednesday called on humanitarian aid organizations to use their resources to help Somalia fight drought and famine, which he said was the worst in 60 years. "All humanitarian aid organizations must mobilize their capabilities to help Somali people. There is a need for urgent action and intensified efforts," Davutoglu told an emergency meeting of the OIC Executive Committee in Istanbul on Somalia famine. Davutoglu said Turkish donations for Somalia had so far totaled 150 million USD, adding that they were expected to reach 250 million USD before the end of the Islamic month of Ramadan. "Turkish government and the Turkish people cannot remain indifferent to the humanitarian tragedy in Somalia. Turkish people shows great solidarity and the amount of donations will rise," Davutoglu said. Davutoglu said the Turkish government also coordinated OIC members' aid efforts, adding that a total of 150 thousand tones of food supplies had been shipped to Somalia in cooperation with the Turkish Health Ministry and the Turkish Red Crescent Aid Society.

Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman management team leads campaign to support Somalia victims Thursday, August 18, 2011 The management team of Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman, a premier destination for business and leisure travellers, is spearheading a campaign to support the victims of drought and famine in Somalia, Djibouti and Ethiopia. Monetary contributions will be donated by the property’s top management and hotel staff to the relief effort that is being carried out by several organizations in the UAE as per the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Rule of Dubai. Mr. Iftikhar Hamdani, Executive Assistant Manager, Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman, said: “We would like to support our Somali brothers in this time of crisis. The hotel staff has decided to contribute an amount equivalent to their one day salary and the top management will contribute money equivalent to five days of their salary. We would like to encourage other organizations to contribute as much as possible especially during this holy month of Ramadan because any contribution will definitely help our brothers who are living each day without food and water.” Over 165 million people in the Horn of Africa region are affected by the drought which hit Somalia, Djibouti and Ethiopia. Thousands of displaced people need food, accommodation and health care. During the past weeks, reports have indicated that more than 29,000 children died of hunger. The relief operations are supported by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and followed up by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region Chairman of the Red Crescent Authority (RCA).

Turkey to re-open its embassy in Somalia Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Wednesday that Turkey would re-open its embassy in Somalia. Davutoglu replied to questions at a press conference held after the meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Executive Committee in Istanbul on Somalia famine. Davutoglu said that Turkey's embassy had served in Mogadishu (capital of Somalia) till 1991, but later the embassy was closed due to security reasons. "We will re-open our embassy in Somalia. Turkey will have a permanent representative office there," he said. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Somalia was not only symbolic, but his visit aimed to give the message that "we are here." "Prime Minister Erdogan will be the first premier to visit Somalia in 20 years. This visit will show that Turkey is always beside African people," he said. Replying to a question on 'Somalia Mission Force,' Davutoglu said that it was formed under the OIC to monitor developments in Horn of Africa and Somalia as well as to discuss steps and measures.

MOGADISHU Aug 19 (Reuters) - Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Somalia on Friday where he plans to visit relief camps and hospitals to draw international attention to the East African country's drought and famine situation. Erdogan was accompanied by his family and four cabinet ministers. Earlier this week, Turkey held a summit of the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries, which gave it a chance to display Islamic piety and flex its diplomatic muscle in Africa at a time other emerging powers are also scrambling for trade and investment in the resource-rich continent. The countries have pledged $350 million in aid to fight famine in anarchic Horn of Africa nation. (Reporting by Ibon Villelabeitia; Editing by George Obulutsa)

What a historical day for Mogadisho and for Somalia. Welcome to Mogadishu Mr Erdogan. -------- Ra'iisul Wasaaraha dalka Turkiga iyo Wafdi uu hogaaminayo Recep Tayyib Erdogan ayaa goor dhow waxay ka soo dageen Garoonka Diyaaradaha Muqdisho, iyadoo munaasabad lagu soo dhoweynayo Wafdiga ay iminka ka socota. Wafdiga ayaa ka soo dagay Garoonka abaarihii 8:15, iyadoo labo diyaaradood ay ka soo degtay Garoonka, kuwaasoo sida wafdiga uu hogaaminayo Ra'iisul Wasaaraha. Garoonka Diyaaradaha ayaa waxaa ku sugan Madaxda ugu sareysa Dowladda KMG sida Madaxweynaha oo soo dhowenaya wafdiga Ra'iisul Wasaaraha Turkiga. Xubnaha Wafdiga ayaa lagu sheegay inay gaarayaan ilaa labaatan xubnood oo ka soo kala degaya Labada diyaaradood, iyadoo ay wehliyaan Ciidamo gaar ah oo sugaya ammaanka wafdiga Ra'iisul Wasaaraha. Astaanta Calanka Dowladda Turkiga ayaa hada la garaacayaa, sidoo kale Ciidamada qalabka sida ayaa u diyaarsan inay salaan sharaf ka qaataan Ra'iisul Wasaaraha Turkiga. Dadweyne fara badan oo soo dhoweynaya iyo kooxaha fanaaniinta ayaa ku sugan garoonka oo soo dhoweynay wafdiga, waxaana qaban qaabada ay tahay mid aad u xoogan. Ammaanka magaalada ayaa ah mid aad loo adkeeyay, dhaq dhaqaaqii ganacsiga iyo isu socodka ayaa ah mid gebi ahaanba hakad ku jira, ma jirto wax gaadiid oo shaqeynaya, wado kasta ayaa waxaa taagan Ciidamo isugu jira Boolis iyo Milateri. Ra'iisul Wasaaraha Turkiga ayaa la filayaa inuu booqdo xeryaha barakacayaasha, halkaas oo Ciidamo la geeyay, iyo Isbitaalada, iyadoo la filayo in Madaxtooyada uu kulan kula qaato Madaxda ugu sareysa.

Sheik Sharif sure knows how to bring in the big fish. Kudos to him. --------- OIC pledges $350 million to Somalia at Turkey summit Wednesday, August 17, 2011 Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries have pledged $350 million in aid to fight famine in Somalia at an emergency summit in Istanbul, OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said Wednesday. With some 3.7 million Somalis at risk of starvation in the Horn of Africa country, Ihsanoglu said he hoped the aid would soon reach $500 million and urged donors to improve drought-stricken Somalia's long-term food security by helping it rebuild infrastructure and agriculture. "All in all we have secured $350 million in pledges. We hope to raise the commitments to $500 million in a very short time," he told a news conference after the summit, held in Turkey's commercial capital during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan appealed for aid for Somalia, criticizing millionaires who drive luxury cars and the "Western world's" arrogance for ignoring the plight of the poor. In a speech sprinkled with references to Islamic piety and criticism of Western capitalism, Erdogan said the Somali famine was "a litmus test" not only for Muslims but for all humanity. "If you ride a luxury car you should be generous enough to people who are struggling with hunger," he told foreign ministers from the 57-nation OIC at an emergency summit in Istanbul to galvanize support for Somalia and neighboring regions also hit by drought. "I hope the efforts (of the OIC) will mobilize the sleeping consciences. We hope the Western world, which likes to boast about its per capita income, shows its support for Somalia." U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said last week her country would give an extra $17 million to combat famine in the Horn of Africa, including $12 million to help Somalis -- bringing total U.S. humanitarian aid to the region to more than $580 million this year. The OIC recently changed its name from Organization of the Islamic Conference to Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Somali President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed said his country was unable to raise enough food and cattle, and faced militant attacks. The worst-hit areas are controlled by al Shabaab militants, who have prevented aid from getting to people. The rebels, who have waged a four-year insurgency against Somalia's Western-backed government, withdrew from Mogadishu earlier this month, opening the way for life-saving food aid but also raising the risk of insurgency attacks. TURKEY IN AFRICA Muslim Turkey, a rapidly growing economy and multi-party democracy that has applied to join the European Union, is widely regarded as a model for Muslim and other developing countries. The OIC summit offered Turkey a chance to showcase its commitment to Africa when other emerging powers are scrambling for trade and investments in the resource-rich continent. Erdogan, a pious Muslim who fasts during Ramadan, used his 30-minute speech to burnish his image as a hero among many Muslims, a status he has gained for his criticism of Israel and his support for Palestinian statehood. "What can we say to people on the other side, making trillions of dollars, capitalizing on others? What kind of civilization is this?" he said, raising his voice at times. "We come from the community of the Prophet, who says you cannot sleep peacefully if your neighbor is hungry. The Somali people are looking at us. Can we turn our gaze away?" Erdogan will travel to Somalia Thursday with his family. He plans to visit relief camps and will be joined by Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and his family. Visits by foreign dignitaries are extremely rare in Somalia, plagued by war and anarchy for the last two decades. Turkey lags other emerging powerhouses such as China, Brazil and India in the race for new markets in Africa, but under Erdogan's AK Party government, Turkey has boosted trade with the continent and opened several new embassies there. Davutoglu later heads to South Africa and Ethiopia as part of an African tour aimed at raising Turkey's diplomatic presence in the continent and expanding business ties. Erdogan said Turkey would open six field hospitals in Somalia and send 20 tonnes of medication and 10 tonnes of food. Reuters http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/i ... NX20110817

lol@Showqi. Keep me updated, I will try to text Sheik Sharif before midnight. Xaji Xanjo ileen Beijing airport-ka ayuu ku rafaadey, ciil badanaa.

I'm guessing you're speaking from experience. Kaftanka run u maleysey haye, sii wado hee. lol

XX xaalada caafimaadkiisa halaga wardoono sidaan caadi kuma ahee. Geelle hadduu tagey Hargeysa, XX oo ordaayo ayaa iman lahaa marhore oo noo sheegi lahaa (in 5 threads).

It's because cousin Zubeyra is no where to be found. Jabkii AS ayaa xanuun weyn u keeney odey Xanjo. Plus Geele Mogadisho ka soo degey was just too painful for him to watch.

Somali FA appoints technical and administrative representatives in Europe & North America August 13, 2011 In a bid to increase Somali football activities in western nations, the Somali Football Federation has appointed technical and administrative representatives in Europe and North Americawho will work on behalf of the SFF in terms of the promotion of Somali Football in their places. According to a press statement from Somali Football Federation about 95 percent of the representatives are former coaches and former notational team players whose job is expected to yield positive results for Somalia’s future international football appearances. “The appointment of such representatives is intended to strengthen the cooperation between insiders and Somalis in Western countries so that they will jointly work in the field of Somali Football promotion” the secretary general said in his statement Saturday. Before the end of the year Somalia will have to go thorough hot football contests including the FIFA 2014 preliminary qualifying against the neighbouringEthiopia, the CECAFA senior challenge cup inTanzaniain November and All Arab games in Doha in December this year. “While the National team is currently under going its training sessions in Mogadishu, we want to collect and train young Somali footballers in the west so that they can get a chance to represent their nation—the representatives we have appointed will help the young Somali boys in western nations have their rights to play for their homeland” the Somali Football Federation secretary General Abdi Qani Said in a press statement on Saturday. “It is a great pleasure for Somali Football Federation to inform all talented Somali footballers across Europe and North America who want to represent their nation in world football to contact the appointed authorities whose names and addresses are below” the secretary general noted in his Saturday’s statement. http://www.hiiraan.com/news2/2011/Aug/somali_fa_appoints_technical_and_administrative_representatives_in_europe_north_america.aspx

Waa hagaag. Odaygaas waaba ka raysanay beryahaan Alhamdulilaah.

Iga raali ahow brother haddii aan ku offend gareeyey, adiga iyo XX waad kala fog tihiin runtii, tusaale inaan u soo qaato mey ahayn. My bad. Wixii la soo qoraba la iskama rumeysto (kuligeen waan galney badaas at one time or another ), ka fiirso intaadan falin ayaan kuu soo jeedinaayaa keliya, kana fogow Dagaal at all costs.

Why AS? why MSB AUN? why Eideed AUN? why Abdulahi Yusuf? why people die? why children are born? why do I wake up in the morning? WHY WHY WHY?

A Khadar, no offense but aren't you doing exactly what you accuse XX? Dagaal waa laguu yaqaan waxay qoraan, Las Anod Online waxay qoraan miyeey waayeen this time? Inta kalena aad soo list gareysey waa copy and paste shabakado. Do you have a reliable source?

UN head thanks Amir for Somalia aid Published Date: July 28, 2011 KUWAIT: United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon called His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on Tuesday evening to express his gratitude for Kuwait's immediate response to the appeal for aid for the drought and famine-stricken Horn of Africa, particularly Somalia. During the call, the UN supremo also hailed HH the Amir's directive ordering a fundraising campaign to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the horrendous drought in the troubled region. On his part, HH the Amir expressed Kuwait's tremendous sympathy for those struggling with both drought and famine in the Horn of Africa, vowing that Kuwait would continue to perform its humanitarian duty towards the people there and join with the international efforts to alleviate their suffering. HH the Amir also voiced a wish that international efforts would be stepped up to address the tragic crisis in Somalia and elsewhere in the Horn of Africa.

Kuwait Red Crescent ready to assist Somalia Published Date: July 19, 2011 KUWAIT: Somalia's Ambassador to Kuwait commended Kuwait's role in assisting Somalis across the African country, suffering from malnutrition and famine as a result of drought. Ambassador Abdulkadir Sheikh Amin made the comment in a statement shortly after meeting representatives of the Kuwait Red Crescent Society yesterday. He said the Kuwaiti aid organization had expressed readiness toward providing urgently-needed assistance to drought victims across Somalia, during discussions between both sides. Amin described the current living conditions of drought victims in his country as detrimental. He also underlined the need for the international community to act fast in coordination with the Somali government to transport as much as needed of humanitarian assistance in order to tackle the worst drought to have hit the region in ten years. For his part, KRCS chief spokesperson, Abdulrahman Al-Aoun expressed the organization's readiness to supply relief assistance to the victims, including food and medical aid and tents. The UN World Food Program has estimated that around 10 million people require food aid in the country, due to the extreme wave of drought and heavy armed conflict, he said. Also, according to UNICEF, as close as two million children are affected by malnutrition and are in desperate need of this aid.

NBK airlifts first consignment of emergency aid to Somalia Published August 14th, 2011 - 10:50 GMT National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) contributed in airlifting the first cargo plane of emergency aid, foodstuffs and medical supplies as emergency relief for famine-stricken people in Somalia. The aid flight comes as part of a large-scale emergency donation campaign launched by NBK through all its branches and channels in collaboration with the Fundraising People’s Committee and Kuwait Red Crescent Society. The Kuwaiti military cargo plane, carrying the aid, foodstuffs and medical supplies provided by NBK headed to Mogadishu Airport Monday. The distribution of this lifesaving humanitarian aid for the famine-hit people in Somalia will be coordinated through Kuwait Red Crescent Society and other international emergency aid organizations and authorities. NBK marked the launch of its large-scale philanthropic and fundraising campaign by donating USD 500,000 to help the people in Somalia suffering from the famine. A special NBK account number (1000354951) has been set up to channel donations in collaboration with the Fundraising People’s Committee. NBK also mobilized all its branches and channels including Call Centre 1801801 and Watani Online (WOL) at www.nbk.com to receive donations, in addition to the various internal initiatives carried out by NBK employees and their families to raise emergency aid funds. NBK's prompt and positive action was also manifested in providing assistance and support to the concerned philanthropic and charity organizations and associations that worked to give a helping hand to the Somali people during this crisis, notably the Fundraising People's committee and Kuwait Red Crescent Society.

lol@lascanod online.

Kuwait relief mission first to arrive in Somalia Mon, 2011-07-25 KUWAIT: Kuwait Red Crescent Society's mission was the first to arrive in Somalia to offer humanitarian relief aid to the drought-hit Somali people, Head of KRCS mission to Somalia Musaed Rashid Al-Enezi told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) Sunday. KRCS has started its work in Somalia with sending two planes loaded with 20 tons of aid immediately following the UN appeal upon instruction from His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. His Highness the Amir has pledged 10 million American dollars in aid for the Somali people, who are suffering from malnutrition and famine as a result of the worst drought to hit the nation in 10 years. The mission was warmly welcomed by the Somali people and government, Al-Enezi said, noting that Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmad has received KRCS mission and hailed His Highness the Amir's initiative. "The charitable work of the state of Kuwait is not strange to a country that used to offer all help to Somalia and all Arab nations," he said. Last week, the UN declared that two regions in the south of the war-torn country were suffering from famine. Hundreds were dying every day across the Horn of Africa region, the FAO said. The United Nations issued an appeal of aid to address what it is calling the worst food crisis in Africa in 20 years. Nearly half of Somalia's estimated 10 million people face a food crisis and malnutrition rates there are the highest in the world. Source : KUNA

Somali PM lauds Amir's generous offering Published Date: August 16, 2011 KUWAIT: Somali Prime Minister Dr Abdiweli Mohamed Ali lauded yesterday the generous offer of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to the Somali people, saying that such sentiments reflected the righteous nature of the Kuwaiti people. Head of Kuwait's Red Crescent Society's (KRCS) Delegation to Somalia Dr Musaaad Al-Enizi, in press statements, said the Somali official stressed that Kuwait has always provided assistant to Somalia during its darkest hours. The Prime Minister, according to Al-Enizi, also expressed his satisfaction towards the swift procedures that enabled the speedy distribution of the $10 million worth of Kuwaiti relief aid, affirming that such aid would ease the pain of Somalis who are suffering from harsh drought that hit the Horn of Africa. With reference to KRCS efforts, Al-Enizi said that the society members were continuing to distribute relief aid in an organized manner to people living in the capital Mogadishu and refugees who came to the city seeking help. - KUNA

Iran declares August 22 as solidarity day with Somalis Tehran, Aug 17, IRNA – Iranian Red Crescent Society Wednesday announced that August 22 was named as the day of Iranians’ solidarity with the famine-stricken people of Somalia. releasing a statement, the IRCS said, on that day (next Monday), Iranians could deliver their humanitarian aid to special bases which are to be established in diferrent parts of the Iranian cities to collect public aid for the people of Somalia, women and children in particular, who are suffering from a spreading famine and drought in the African state. The United Nations has formally declared a state of famine in five regions in southern and central Somalia, and the number of people in need of food aid and humanitarian assistance across the wider region is more than 12 million. The international body has also predicted that the famine could spread to more areas and last until December.

Somalia thanks Iran for sending humanitarian aid TEHRAN, August 17, 2011 Somali ambassador to Qatar has expressed his gratitude to the Iranian government and people for sending aid to the famine-wracked Africa country. Omar Idris expressed his appreciation during a joint press conference with Iranian Ambassador Abdollah Sohrabi in Doha on Tuesday. Iran has recently sent its third cargo of humanitarian aid to famine-hit Somalia. Iranian officials also announced that another cargo weighing 100 tons will be shipped to the African country soon.