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Istanbul
(ANTARA News/Reuters) - Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) countries
have pledged $350 million in aid for Somalia at an emergency summit in
Istanbul, OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said on Wednesday.
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| Organisation of Islamic Cooperation |
With some
3.7 million Somalis at risk of starvation in the Horn of Africa country,
Ihsanoglu said he hoped the aid would soon reach $500 million and urged donors
to improve drought-stricken Somalia`s long-term food security by helping it
rebuild infrastructure and agriculture.
"All
in all we have secured $350 million in pledges. We hope to raise the
commitments to $500 million in a very short time," he told a news
conference after the summit, held in Turkey`s commercial capital during the
Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Turkish Prime
Minister Tayyip Erdogan appealed for aid for Somalia, criticising millionaires
who drive luxury cars and the "Western world`s" arrogance for
ignoring the plight of the poor.
In a speech
sprinkled with references to Islamic piety and criticism of Western capitalism,
Erdogan said the Somali famine was "a litmus test" not only for
Muslims but for all humanity.
"If
you ride a luxury car you should be generous enough to people who are
struggling with hunger," he told foreign ministers from the 57-nation OIC
at an emergency summit in Istanbul to galvanise support for Somalia and
neighbouring regions also hit by drought.
"I
hope the efforts (of the OIC) will mobilise the sleeping consciences. We hope
the Western world, which likes to boast about its per capita income, shows its
support for Somalia."
U.S.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said last week her country would give an
extra $17 million to combat famine in the Horn of Africa, including $12 million
to help Somalis -- bringing total U.S. humanitarian aid to the region to more
than $580 million this year.
The OIC
recently changed its name from Organisation of the Islamic Conference to
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
Somali
President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed said his country was unable to raise enough food
and cattle, and faced militant attacks. The worst-hit areas are controlled by
al Shabaab militants, who have prevented aid from getting to people.
The rebels,
who have waged a four-year insurgency against Somalia`s Western-backed
government, withdrew from Mogadishu earlier this month, opening the way for
life-saving food aid but also raising the risk of insurgency attacks.
Editor: B Kunto Wibisono
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