Islamic pledge

In an emergency meeting on Wednesday, Members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) promised $350 million (240 million euros) in famine relief for Somalia.

The pledge was aimed at improving food security for the country, OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu told a news conference in Istanbul.

"All in all, we have secured $350 million in pledges," said Ihsanoglu. "We hope to raise the commitments to $500 million."

The pledges came after an appeal by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who said the famine was a "litmus test" for humanity as a whole.

In a speech praising Islam and criticizing Western capitalism, Erdogan said the international community could do more to help tackle the famine.

"I hope the efforts (of the OIC) will mobilize the sleeping consciences. We hope the Western world, which likes to boast about its per capita income, will show its support for Somalia," he said.

The United States is the biggest international donor to humanitarian relief efforts in the wider Horn of Africa region, with about $580 million in aid this year. Britain is the second-biggest donor in the region, with some $205 million.

Representatives from more than 40 member countries of the OIC had convened in Turkey's largest city to discuss aid for Somalia.

All of those present had vowed to contribute to the Somalia fund, said Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

Taking an active role in Africa

Davutoglu added that the Islamic world would "actively take part" in finding a solution for the domestic tensions in Somalia. The problem of famine has been made worse through civil war in the country, with much of its territory under the control of the Islamist Shebab militia.

Turkey is set to reopen its embassy in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, which has been closed since 1991 over security fears. Prime Minister Erdogan is scheduled to visit the country on Thursday, with Turkey set to open six field hospitals in the country.

Erdogan's Justice and Development Party, a moderate offshoot of a banned Islamist movement, has demonstrated a growing interest in Africa, opening several new embassies.

With some 3.5 million people at risk from famine, Somalia is the worst-hit country in a regional tragedy that has unfolded across the Horn of Africa.

Author: Richard Connor (AFP, Reuters)

Editor: Susan Houlton