Somali drought: Tanzania donates food

2011-08-10 11:22

Dar es Salaam - Tanzania pledged 300 tons of maize for Somalia's drought-hit people during a visit by Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, a statement said on Wednesday.

A severe drought in the Horn of Africa has hit Somalia hardest, with parts of the country declared as facing famine and nearly half of its estimated 10 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.

"We are deeply touched by the current situation in Somalia where millions of people face severe famine," the statement quoted President Jakaya Kikwete as saying.

The two leaders also resolved to boost co-operation, notably against piracy by Somali gunmen who have seized several merchant ships off east African coast.

- AFP