Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Although difficult to quantify, South Africa's contribution to relief efforts in Somalia exceeds R20-million so far, says Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe.
Furthermore, and in line with South Africa's foreign policy objective of consolidating the African agenda, the government, in partnership with Brand South Africa, had teamed up with Gift of the Givers and launched the Somalia Relief Campaign to raise public awareness of the situation in Somalia.
The government also provided transport in the form of a SA National Defence Force C130 Hercules supply plane to Gift of the Givers to deliver 18 tons of essential food and anti-malaria medication to Mogadishu on August 16.
This latest consignment brought to 112 tons the total aid delivered to Somalia by Gift of the Givers in a two-week period, Motlanthe said.
In addition, the government collaborated with other South African-based organisations contributing to relief work for Somalis in Somalia and refugee camps in neighbouring countries.
These included Islamic Relief SA, Africa Muslim Agency, Netcare SA, the Al Imdaad Foundation and the Somali Community Board of SA.
Members of the South African business community were also motivated to contribute and food and other essential items were donated.
"The total amount of the South African contribution, including government and civil society, is difficult to quantify at this stage, but certainly exceeds R20-million," he said.
South Africa would make further pledges at the African Union hosted pledging conference this week in Addis Ababa.
"Let me use this opportunity to restate that South Africa, SADC [the Southern African Development Community] and the African Union's position on Somalia is that it is only under conditions of peace, stability and unity that a humanitarian crisis like this can be mitigated.
"We therefore call on all parties involved to work towards a lasting solution to the political crisis in that country," Motlanthe said.