Manama: Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait, has donated $1 million, marking the opening of a donations campaign to aid drought-stricken victims in Somalia, a senior official said on Monday.
Abdullah Al Maatouq, the President of the International Islamic Charitable Organisation (IICO), said that the generous donation from the Emir was a strong boost to the efforts of the organisation.
"HH the Emir has stressed his commitment to alleviate the severe suffering of the people of Somalia and his confirmation of the importance of providing them with the necessary support and emergency relief to avoid more victims," he said, quoted by Kuwait News Agency (Kuna).
"HH the Emir has directed the IICO to organise a public campaign in coordination with similar organisations and charities in Kuwait to collect donations for the benefit of the victims in Somalia who suffer from severe drought."
A crisis, a combination of drought and rising food prices, has struck parts of East Africa and affected millions of people.
