ROME, AUGUST 1 – A humanitarian flight carrying approximately 18 tons of medicine, medical kits, and tents from the Italian Cooperation has landed in Mogadishu, Somalia, providing the first response to the humanitarian emergency caused by the clashes around the city of Las Anood. Following the directives of the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Edmondo Cirielli, the cargo was subsequently transported to Garowe Airport, from where it will be further distributed to the areas surrounding the city of Las Anood.
In late May, the Vice President of the Council and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, participated in the United Nations Humanitarian Conference on the Horn of Africa. The conference was organized in collaboration with the governments of Italy, Qatar, the United Kingdom, and the United States, along with the governments of Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya, and in coordination with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
For Tajani, Africa and the Horn of Africa are a priority for Italy, and it is essential to address Africa’s needs through African solutions. “The goal of the conference, which the Italian government strongly supported, is to shed light on the critical situation of millions of people in the region and mobilize donor support,” the minister explained.
“The strategic future of Italy and Europe unfolds through this continent. The United Nations conference comes at an appropriate time. The Horn of Africa, a crucial region for the stability of the African continent, is experiencing one of the worst droughts of our time: tens of millions of people need urgent humanitarian assistance. It is essential that resources can support the humanitarian response in the Horn,” continued the minister.
Italy had pledged to contribute €40 million to the UN Humanitarian Response Plan and allocate an additional €30 million for development initiatives.
The crisis in the Horn of Africa has taken a toll on the region, affecting the lives of millions of people. Humanitarian aid is vital to provide relief and support to those in need. The Italian Cooperation’s flight is a crucial step in delivering much-needed assistance to the affected areas, and the commitment of Italy to support the region’s stability and development is commendable. As the situation remains challenging, international cooperation and aid are pivotal in addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis and creating a brighter future for the people of the Horn of Africa. (@OnuItalia)
