WINDHOEK, Namibia, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- Namibia has pledged $500,000 for famine relief in Somalia, Information Minister Joel Kapaanda announced Thursday.
Kapaanda told Voice of America that Namibian officials hope its action will inspire other African Union countries.
"Our government has decided to support the people of Somalia and of the Horn of Africa," Kapaanda said. "We felt that although Namibia is a small country with limited resources, we can still make a limited contribution … that can go a long way in mitigating the situation in the Horn."
Erastus Mwencha, deputy chairman of the African Union Commission, said a summit has been scheduled for Aug. 10 on the situation in the Horn of Africa, where drought and famine, coming on top of civil conflicts, threaten the lives of millions of people. African leaders will discuss development in the region to prevent future crises, Mwencha said.
