NASSIR Posted August 17, 2011 OIC pledges $350 million to Somalia Wed, 17 Aug 2011 22:50:57 GMT Members of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have pledged to donate $350 million in relief to fight famine in Somalia. "All in all we have secured $350 million in pledges. We hope to raise the commitments to $500 million in a very short time," said OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu after an emergency meeting in Istanbul, Turkey on Wednesday, Reuters reported. Meanwhile, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized the "Western world” for turning a blind eye to the plight of the poor. "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," Erdogan told foreign ministers from the 57-nation OIC. Iran, an OIC member, pledged last week to donate USD 25 million to the famine-stricken people of Somalia. Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi is scheduled to visit Somalia in the next few days to speed up the distribution of Iranian aid. Iran has already dispatched three planeload of humanitarian aid for Somali people and plans to send its fourth air convoy by sea. The United Nations has warned that some 3.7 million people are at risk of starvation in Somalia, the worst affected by the humanitarian catastrophe that has affected more than 12 million people across East Africa. MA/MGH Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
General Duke Posted August 17, 2011 A legend, a man I have admired for so long is showing just why he has been a hero... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NASSIR Posted August 17, 2011 He is truly in the same calibre and popularity as President Obama was when he won the electoral votes. As PM, he has delivered the promises he made for his country. A great global leader! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Abdul Posted August 18, 2011 After 20 long years there is finally light at the end of tunnel for somalia. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
double decker Posted August 18, 2011 Asalatu Khayru mina noom... No matter how much money we receive unless we help our country to recover from this. We will be in a same position in 20 years time.. I hope not but thats how it works in somalia. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Abdul Posted August 19, 2011 double decker,sometimes its ok to be optimistic.You just hope that this time things will move in the right direction. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
