Ubuntu beyond borders

International relations

Government in cooperation with the South African Aid organisation Gift of the Givers has called on South Africans to help Somalia by donating whatever they can to help our fellow Africans in need.

More than 3 million people in Somalia are battling hunger in the worst drought the country has seen in the past 60 years. The southern part of the country was declared a famine region by the United Nations (UN).  Nearly half of the Somali population of approximately 3,7 million people are in crisis.

Funds and goods

“Africa should lead that response because these are our brothers and sisters,” said Gift of the Givers founder Imtiaz Sooliman.
South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), partnered with a number of non-governmental and relief organisations, to deliver aid to the famine and drought-stricken Somalia, as well as the refugee camp on the border of Kenya and Somalia.

International Relations Deputy Minister Marius Fransman says the department is doing everything in its power to help alleviate the situation in the country. South Africa so far has donated funds and goods worth more than R1 million. 

“We are calling on South Africans to rally together to support the people of Somalia. Let’s do it for the children, mothers and the elders who are dying of hunger.”  - Marius Fransman, Deputy Minister of  International Relations

Rally together

“We are calling on South Africans to rally together to support the people of Somalia. Let’s do it for the children, mothers and the elders who are dying of hunger.” In addition, food parcels, tents and water purification equipment as well as medical kits have also been delivered.

Telethon

In a bid to raise more funds for the victims, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) held a special three-hour telethon live on its breakfast show Morning Live. SABC staff, management and celebrities manned the phone lines for the pledges.

“We feel that it is not enough just to inform South Africans about what is happening in Somalia - we also have  to do something and help the people in Somalia ... and I think the time has come for South Africans and Africans to not be helpless spectators when a catastrophe like this happens on our own continent,” said SABC Acting Group Executive for News.