Delegation for tsunami-hit Somalia
Lazarus Mabasa
1 February 2005
A South African delegation has left for Somalia, to deliver relief aid to communities affected by the 26 December Tsunami.
Somalia is one of the worst affected African countries following the Tsunami disaster that hit some parts of Africa and South East Asia, leaving an estimated 200 000 people dead.
The delegation that left on Sunday night comprises representatives from the departments of health, foreign affairs, water affairs and forestry, and some leading relief organisations.
The donation was mobilised through non-governmental organisation the Gift of the Givers.
In a statement released on Monday, the Health Department said the delegation would also seek to establish that country's needs and compile a comprehensive report to inform South Africa's immediate and long-term responses.
These will include skills and human resources needed towards short-term relief and long-term development interventions.
The mission to
Somalia follows a call, made by South Africa at the recent United Nations relief summit in Indonesia, that the scope of aid to the victims be broadened to include affected communities in African countries such as Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania and Mauritius.
Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang - who represented South Africa at the Indonesian summit - said African countries had experienced untold hardship, including floods, drought, civil wars and famine, and now had to face this disaster without adequate infrastructure, human capital or financial resources.
"The emphasis on Somalia should be seen in the light of the country's present political and conflict situation, where it is difficult to obtain accurate information due to lack of capacity for assessment and response", Tshabalala-Msimang added.
She commended the "overwhelming" support and cooperation received from the South African public, volunteers, NGOs and the private sector.
She also praised Anglican
Archbishop of Cape Town Njongonkulu Ndungane, who visited Somalia earlier this month and donated R450 000 raised by Anglican churches across the country.
Source: BuaNews
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