MALAYSIA TO HELP TACKLE FOOD CRISIS
PM, through KP1M, donates RM444,800 to kickstart fund
C. PREMANANTHINI KUALA LUMPUR news@nst.com.my
KELAB Putera 1Malaysia (KP1M) has launched the Somalia Emergency Appeal Fund in an effort to help Somalians in dire need of humanitarian aid, following the country’s pro- longed drought since 2014.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, through KP1M, donated US$100,000 (RM444,800) to kickstart the fund.
KP1M president Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim presented the mock cheque to Somalian Deputy Prime Minister Mohamed Omar Arteh in a ceremony witnessed by Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak.
Present were Somalian Ambassador to Malaysia Abukar Abdi Osman, Malaysia Consultative Council of Islamic Organisation president Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid, New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Jalil Hamid and Berita Harian group editor Datuk Mahfar Ali.
Mohamed Omar, who is on a working visit here from March 9 to today, expressed his gratitude for the help.
It was reported that Malaysia would be channelling humanitarian aid, such as food and medicine, to Somalia through non-governmental organisations and political parties.
Malaysia was also prepared to cooperate with the United Nations’ World Food Programme in helping Somalia deal with its food crisis. It was also reported that Malaysia would consider providing micro-credit assistance to the hardcore poor in Somalia.