The African Union Calls Pledging Summit to Help Victims of Famine

A report by BBC News said the African Union has announced it is to hold a summit meeting to pledge help for the victims of Somalia’s drought.

Twelve million people are at risk of starvation and in need of aid as the drought and famine intensify across the Horn of Africa. The AU’s announcement is followed by criticism from the African media of the failure of the continent’s leaders to help famine victims.

The purpose of the pledging conference is to bring together heads of state and international donors. Erasmus Mwencha, the deputy chairman of the African Union, made the announcement during a visit to the AU peacekeeping mission in the Somali capital, Mogadishu.

"I ask the African continent, from the northern cape to the southern cape, to look hard at how they can contribute to alleviating the suffering," said Mwencha.