U.N chief calls for massive international support to Somalia
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Monthly Digital Subscription
$0 for the first 4 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*No charge for 4 weeks then price increases to the regular rate of $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.
Monthly Digital Subscription
$4.99/week*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Billed as $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $16.99 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $23.99 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 11/04/2023 (1003 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed for “massive international support” for Somalia on Tuesday during his visit to the East African country, which is facing the worst drought in decades.
During a joint press briefing with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Guterres told reporters he was in Somalia “to ring the alarm” on the country’s need for massive international support.
He said the nation is dealing with humanitarian difficulties while also combating a serious terrorism threat.
The U.N chief received a red carpet welcome with an honor guard as Somali and U.N. officials greeted him at international airport in the capital, Mogadishu.
Most of the city was locked down for Guterres’ visit, with public transportation restricted.
Guterres thanked Mohamud for the warm welcome and said he was looking forward later Tuesday to Iftar – the breaking of the Ramadan fast.
Mohamud, in turn, thanked Guterres for demonstrating concern for Somalia.
“This visit assures us that the U.N is fully committed to supporting our plans for state-building and stabilizing the country,” the president said. “We are confident that the Somali people will be able to overcome the problems and challenges they are still facing through the completion of the liberation of the country and reconciliation.”
Food security experts say life remains “extremely critical” for more than 6 million hungry people in Somalia’s historic drought.
The country also faces insecurity as it battles thousands of fighters from al-Qaida’s East Africa affiliate, al-Shabab.
Guterres visited a camp for internally displaced people in Baidoa, in southwest Somalia. He lauded the determination of residents had shown to rebuild their lives.
“In the holy month of Ramadan, we need to have a generosity from the international community that is absolutely crucial to rescue these people that I have seen in this camp and that live in so dramatic circumstances,” Guterres said.
Habiba Isak Ibrahin, one of the people displaced by the severe drought, told The Associated Press she lost her crops and livestock and had to seek help at the camp.