SOMALIA: Canada Provides Additional ½ Million
Following is a Media Release by the Canadian Government:Â
The Government of Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), will provide an additional CAD $500,000 in response to current food shortages in Somalia in support of the World Food Programme’s (WFP) efforts to reduce severe hunger and malnutrition. Somalia is currently suffering the effects of the failed Gu and Deyr rains resulting in poor harvests and famine, both of which are exacerbated by recurrent conflict and insecurity. Close to three million people in Somalia are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. The funds announced today will support efforts to ensure that the minimum dietary requirements of vulnerable people are met, in particular women and children. This contribution is in addition to the CAD $3 million that CIDA provided to the WFP in April 2005 for its operations in Somalia. It also further demonstrates Canada’s commitment to respond to such crises in a timely manner in order to help alleviate suffering and save lives in countries affected by drought and other natural disasters.The Government of Canada is encouraged by the agreement to convene the Somali Parliament and urges all parties to continue in their efforts toward national reconciliation and reconstruction.  Â
Sofia Mavumba-Chanzu
Public Affairs Officer/Agent des affaires publiques
Canadian High Commission
P.O. Box 1013, Village Market
Nairobi
Kenya
Tel:Â 254 20 366 3000
Fax: 254 20 366 3916
Click here for more on Canadian Aid to the Somalia and Kenya. You may like to click here for more info about the Canadian High Commission in Nairobi.Â