OAU Donates 50,000 US Dollars To Flood Victims
November 18, 1997
Addis Ababa - The Organization of African Unity (OAU) donated a sum of 50,000 US dollars to victims of the recent floods caused by the over flowing of Awash River in Mustahil peasant localities of Somali State.
According to a press release issued here yesterday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the amount was handed over by the OAU Secretary General Mr. Salim Ahmed Salim to Ambassador Fantahun Haile Michael, head of OAU and Southern Africa Affairs in the ministry.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Mr. Salim said inspite of the organization's financial limitations, OAU made the donation with the intention to express solidarity.
Ambassador Fantahun on his part said the sum will be given to the victims through the Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission.
Meanwhile the Disaster Prevention and Preparedness commission said the relief assistance being expended to flood victims in Mustahil peasant localities in Somali State is continuing.
In a press release it issued here yesterday the commission said it has learnt through the team it dispatched to the affected area that relief food and plastic sheets are being distributed among the people displaced by flood as a result of the over-flowing of the Wabe Shebele River recently.
More relief food and plastic sheets are being transported to the affected areas by helicopters as the 44 peasant localities have still been encircled by floods, according to the release.
As there are signs of outbreak of diarrhea and other water-borne diseases in the area, additional medicinal drugs are needed with a view to prevent the epidemics, the team reported.
The relief food is being transported from Gode to the area affected by floods aircraft leased from the Ethiopian Airlines, the commission said.