AU donates US$ 500,000 to assist in the Sahel region
Addis Ababa, 09 Mar – (ANA) - The African Union Commission (AU) has announced an initial donation of US$ 500,000.00 to help with the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Sahel region. A humanitarian assessment mission will be undertaken to the region and calls upon the entire continent including traditional donors, other States and entities outside of Africa, to join in the fraternal expression of solidarity with the affected persons, the AU said.
The commission commends the efforts of the national governments, international community and other actors who have responded to the situation, for their respective efforts and calls for a scaling up of response by all. The Commission notes that of the US$ 686,483,359.00, required as resource needs, current funding stands at US$ 179,805,767.00. It leaves a resource shortfall of about US$ 512 million or 80% short and it is noted that the gap keeps increasing. There is therefore a need for enhanced support to bridge the deficit and the ever mounting requirements.
The Sahel region is characterized by drought, insecurity, high food prices, erosion of the resilience of the affected communities and displacement of persons, which has left over 10 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. (ANA)
FA/ANA/09 March 2012--------