Turkish Deputy PM visits drought-hit Somalia

By Mohammed Dhaysane 

MOGADISHU

A Turkish delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Veysi Kaynak arrived in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Sunday.

Kaynak and his delegation met new Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmajo at the presidential palace.

Abdinur Mohamed Ahmed, the presidency's director of communications, told Anadolu agency that the two officials discussed relations between the two countries and the humanitarian crisis in the country.

Turkish deputy prime said that the Turkish government will send to Somalia 11,000 tons of humanitarian aid, including medicine and food.

"Turkey donated at least 170 tons of aid on Sunday and soon Somalia will receive 11,000 tons from Turkey," Kaynak said at the meeting with Somali president.

Somali president, for his part, thanked the Turkish government and people for their "live-saving support" in Somalia.

President of Turkish Red crescent, chief of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and other Turkish aid agency officials were part of the delegation.

Somali government declared that the looming famine in Somalia is a national disaster.

At least half of Somalia population are in need humanitarian emergency support as the drought in horn of African nation is the worst drought since 1945 according to the United Nations.

The drought hit at least 11 out of 18 Somalia regions including most affected Bay region, where at least 110 people died from hunger and cholera outbreak earlier in March.