SA aid criticism unfair, dept says
2011-08-15 17:30
Johannesburg - Criticisms of South Africa's response to the drought and famine in the Horn of Africa are unfair and ill-informed, the department of international relations and co-operation said on Monday.
"We do not understand how people can criticise us while our aid mission is still going on," spokesperson Clayson Monyela said.
"We have already pledged R8m in aid, and we have partnered with [local charity group] Gift of the Givers to assist all the affected people.
"Tomorrow, one of our defence planes is taking fresh supplies to the Gift of the Givers team in Somalia."
Monyela said the plane was also carrying donations collected from South African citizens.
The UK-based charity organisation Oxfam told the Associated Press AP on Monday, that South Africa was not doing enough for the victims of the drought and famine.
Oxfam official Irungu Houghton said the aid coming from the South African government was not enough given the country's more stable economic status.
The famine in Somalia has killed tens of thousands of people, and more than 12 million people are in need of food aid in the Horn of Africa.
"African citizens have already rallied to the cause and made significant contributions. But now we need African governments to follow their lead," Houghton said.
"Most are yet to make a decent contribution and show the true meaning of African solutions to African problems."
Houghton said his organisation expected African governments to raise at least $50m.
- SAPA
