OIC appeals for urgent relief to people of Eastern Africa

Jeddah, September 15, SPA -- The Secretary General of the
Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Prof. Ekmeleddin
Ihsanoglu has made an urgent humanitarian appeal in favor of the
people of eastern Africa following persistent rain failures.

In a latest press release, Ihsanoglu said "It has been brought to my
knowledge that over 14 million people have been suffering from
various forms of malnutrition in several Eastern African countries
out of which three are Member States of the Organization of the
Islamic Conference, namely Somalia, Uganda and Djibouti."

According to UN sources, half of the population of Somalia is faced
with acute food shortages due to prolonged instability, rising high
food prices world-wide, coupled with long-term prevailing drought.

Likewise, Uganda and Djibouti are also facing food deficits due to
persistent rain failures which have rendered nearly two million
people dependent on international aid in the arid Karamoja area in
Uganda while 149,000 Djiboutians are completely relying on food
provided by the international community and various agencies. By the
same token, the situation is no different in non-OIC member countries
in Eastern Africa, such as Ethiopia and Kenya where millions of
people are in need of urgent food assistance.


"In this blessed and holy month of Ramadan, I solemnly appeal to all
OIC Member States, Philanthropists, NGOs and all people of good-will,
to generously come to the rescue of the needy people living in the
affected countries to avert the possibility of mass starvation, if
bold steps are not taken to complement the laudable efforts deployed
by various stakeholders, " he said.