INTERGOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY ON DEVELOPMENT

AUTORITÉ INTERGOUVERNEMENTALE POUR LE DÉVELOPPEMENT

PRESS STATEMENT Djibouti, Thursdsay 11 September 2014: IGAD has hailed the urgent action by the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia to mitigate the devastating effects of the current drought in the country. The government has not only established a Special Committee to tackle the drought and its effects, but also follows and addresses the needs of those who are affected as much as its capacity allows. In a Press Statement dated August 05, 2014, the Somalia Government has recognised that drought has already reached Gedo, Bakool, Galgudud and Mudugand regions. It is expected that many other areas of Somalia will be in the same category soon. The government has declared the urgency of making food, water, medication and shelter available to the victims of the current drought which has occurred within a very short span of time since the last devastating drought of 2011. It has also allocated 500,000 USD to the victims; this assistance is to reach intended recipients as soon as possible in the form of the items mentioned above. In the same Press Statement, the government of Somalia has also mentioned that there are many challenges that should be addressed as soon as possible. IGAD would like to add its voice to that of the government of Somalia in stressing the need for international assistance in the form not only of food, water and medication, but also vehicles and other technical support that would assist in moving the supplies to where they are most needed. It should be clear to all that though the Al Shabab is defeated, it does not mean that it cannot impede the movement of supplies in some of the drought affected areas, and that is why all those who are trying to support the government of the Federal Republic of Somalia should be

IGAD hails the action of the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia regarding the drought

ready for any eventuality and be equipped to deal with it in the interest of the victims of the drought. The people of Somalia have established a viable government after two decades of unspeakable devastation and suffering bearing witness to the indestructible quality of the human spirit. IGAD is confident that this spirit will prevail even in the face of the current drought but assistance should reach the affected areas without delay. IGAD hereby places an appeal to the International Community to promptly assist the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia in its effort to overcome the challenges of drought before it becomes famine. ## _______________________________________ For more information, contact Abdullahi Busuri (abdullahi.busuri@igad.int) +253.21 31 27 23 Mahamed Ahmed Abdillahi (mahamed.abdilahi@igad.int)