ADDIS ABABA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) on Thursday called for greater solidarity with African countries affected by the ongoing drought and famine.
Moussa Faki Mahamat, the newly elected chairperson of the AU Commission, is deeply concerned by the humanitarian situation in parts of Africa affected by drought and famine, which is the most severe food security emergency in the world today, said a statement from the pan-African bloc.
Close to 12 million people in South Sudan, Somalia and northeast Nigeria are in dire need of emergency food assistance, noted the statement.
Famine has been declared in parts of South Sudan, and this situation has led to major displacements into neighboring countries, it said.
The statement added that the situation in the countries is compounded by insecurity and conflict.
The chairperson has expressed AU's profound appreciation to its member states that have opened their borders and provided assistance to those in need.
Mahamat has urged all AU member states to contribute financial and technical support to alleviate the suffering of the affected populations.
He also appealed to AU partners and international humanitarian organizations to provide the much-needed financial and logistical support to assist the affected countries to avert a catastrophe.
