Turkish military to send aid vessel to Somalia

AFP , Monday 22 Aug 2011

Pledge follows Turkish prime minister's visit to the famine-afflicted country last week

The Turkish military will send an aid vessel to famine-hit Somalia, where the United Nations has officially declared a famine in five regions of the country, the army said on its website Monday.

A frigate belonging to Turkish naval forces will accompany the vessel and then join the international force in the region to fight against piracy, the military said.

Last week Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Somalia, the worst affected country in the Horn of Africa by a prolonged drought. Turkish government institutions and civil society organizations are continuing relief work for Somalia on the ground.

The drought has also hit parts of Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya and Uganda.

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