POPE CALLS FOR URGENT FOOD AID TO SOMALIA

Sun 14 August 2022:

On Sunday, Pope Francis said that the conflict in Ukraine had drawn attention away from the issue of world poverty and he urged immediate food assistance to avert an impending famine in Somalia.

“The people of this region, who already live in very precarious conditions, are now in mortal danger because of drought,” he said at his weekly address in St. Peter’s Square, referring to the Horn of Africa.

Francis told pilgrims and tourists in the square that he wanted to draw attention “to the grave humanitarian crisis that has hit Somalia and some areas of bordering countries”.

“I hope that international solidarity can respond efficiently to this emergency,” Francis said.

“Unfortunately the war (in Ukraine) has distracted attention and resources but these are the aims that call for the utmost commitment – the fight against hunger, health care, education,” he said.

The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned this month that if livestock deaths continue, essential commodity prices rise, and humanitarian relief does not reach the most needy, it may have to declare famine in eight parts of Somalia as early as next month.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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