Today's Zaman August 13, 2011 More than TL 25 million has been raised in a special telethon organized by the Samanyolu Media Group and Turkish charity foundation Kimse Yok Mu (Is Anybody There) for famine-stricken Somalia. Titled “İnsanlık Ölmedi” (Humanity Has Not Died), the show was aired as part of relief efforts and was broadcast by stations affiliated with the Samanyolu Media Group, including STV and Samanyolu Haber TV, on Thursday night. The show was hosted by Gezegen Mehmet, a famous radio host. Many celebrities from the worlds of culture, sports and business made appearances at the studio to support the cause. Justice and Development Party (AK Party) İstanbul deputy Hakan Şükür helped launch the telethon and was at the studios until the show finished sometime near dawn. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also spoke with the show's host over the phone. Praising the campaign, Erdoğan talked about his plans to address the famine that hit the Horn of Africa. “During a meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference [OIC] on Aug. 17, we will propose a different assistance process for Somalia and Africa. After that meeting, my wife and I will visit the [famine-stricken] places and think of [new] projects. Doctors and mobile hospitals from the [Turkish] Health Ministry will contribute to relief efforts. Also I will make a speech on this issue at the United Nations General Assembly,” Erdoğan said. In response to a question regarding the needy of Turkey, Erdoğan said his party distributed food to those in need across the nation, and added that the conditions in Somalia cannot be compared to anywhere else in the world. “Thank God there is nobody in our country [living] in those conditions. We will help the people there as our ancestors did,” he said. Celebrity guests included Kayahan, Seda Sayan, Ümit Sayın, Erhan Güleryüz, Murat Kekilli, İbrahim Erkal, Murat Dalkılıç, Vatan Şaşmaz, Tolgahan Sayışman and Erhan Ufak. They spoke with those who called in to give donations throughout the night. Kimse Yok Mu Chairman Ünal Öztürk said the organizers are happy about the interest people showed. “Let alone the numbers, the interest of our people in such charities is very important. A lot of celebrities and businessmen helped out. A little girl gave us her pocket money. This aid will reach places where it is needed. However, what matters is to work on permanent solutions,” Öztürk added. The first contribution in the campaign came from famous singer Kayahan's daughter, Aslı Gönül, while the largest amount, TL 750,000 was donated by the Doğuş Group. Businessman Ali Ağaoğlu donated TL 250,000 and the Turkish national basketball team, led by NBA superstar Hidayet Türkoğlu, donated TL 150,000. The student association of Gaziantep Sunguroğlu Private High School donated TL 100,000. Both businessman Murat Doğanay and famous TV host Acun Ilıcalı each donated TL 50,000. Owner of the Rixos hotel chain Fettah Tamince and Fatih University Rector Şerif Ali Tekalan also participated in the telethon. Source: Today's Zaman

^There ain't anyone except government sympathizers (paid) that will kill and pillage as well.

^People that live in these regions that's being pillaged, raped and murdered.

Any gas being used to oppress very the people that own it would have to be sabotoged.

I guess the gas is coming from Ocaden?

Xasan Dahir oo qiray in khilaafaad uu u dhaxeeyo Saraakiisha Al-Shabaab Xasan Dahir Aweys oo ka mid ah Saraakiisha Al-Shabaab ayaa markii u horeysay ka dhawaajiyay inuu jiro khilaaf ka dhex taagan Saraakiisha Al-Shabaab, kaasoo uu ku tilmaamay in dhowr arrimood markii hore la isku qabtay. Hadal uu siiyay Warbaahinta oo u muuqatay in Xasan Dahir ku muujinayo khilaafka taagnaa ayaa marka hore soo qaatay in la isku qabtay in Ciidamada Al-Shabaab laga saaro aagaga oo aanay difaac gelin, bedelka arrintaas loo bedelo sida dagaalada ku dhufo oo ka dhaqaaq ah oo la mid ah sida kuwa Afganistan. http://www.jowhar.com/news.php?readmore=2332

Do something or spare us.

- Femme -;740220 wrote: Nothing beats the original. Just sayin'. Hear Hear

Alderman;740127 wrote: Sums up the number one problem facing Somalia today and what the general world population thinks about the famine and why they are so reluctant to aid the Somalis. Since you are so concerned about over-population, how about you kill yourself and do us and the world a favor. Abdul...One wonder Muslim1st is doing his fellow 'Muslims. Atleast we know what Iman is doing.

Alderman;739928 wrote: That would have rang true in the 19th century but certainly not in the 21st century. Women don't give birth or take care of home in the 21st century? Femme...FGM is just horrible practice. Educating mothers will go a long way in eradicating this heinous thing.

^What 4? Has the drought become up there as well?

^There's only so much the world can do for us! A popular revolt by the people or genuine leadership can save our country, I don't see neither on the horizon.

Turkish Development Agency to open office in Somalia worldbulletin.com August 10, 2011 The Turkish team visited the camps and distributed milk, biscuits, chocolate and candies to children. Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA) will open an office in Somalia. "Turkey will not only send aid to Somalia but also will continue to contribute to this country to get strengthened in international trade, economy, agriculture and industry," TIKA Chairman Serdar Cam said on Tuesday. Aid team, led by Cam and Turkish Red Crescent Director General Omer Tasli, are visiting camps in Mogadishu, Somalia after arrival of two cargo planes. Distribution of the assistance started in the region. The planes brought first part of the assistance collected by TIKA, Turkish Prime Ministry Disaster & Emergency Management Directorate (AFAD), Turkey's Religious Affairs Directorate General, and Turkish Red Crescent (Kizilay) and Sabah newspaper. The Turkish team visited the camps and distributed milk, biscuits, chocolate and candies to children. Cam told A.A correspondent that they sad scenes during the works in camps, yet noted that eradication of the camp regions from Shabab organization gave hope. Cam said the state was gradually establishing its own system, and noted that peace and tranquility should be restored in the region. He said TIKA's coordination office would be opened there, underlining that, "we will be in an effort to contribute to the state here with various projects." "Somalia was in a strong situation in the past on agriculture, animal breeding and fishing. However, they need systems to discipline and manage those. I think Turkey's experiences on the related matters can be relayed to them," he added. Referring to the need of state buildings and education programs for the system to operate well, Cam said, "they demanded an assault boat for coastal security. The demands in question will be conveyed to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and related authorities." Cam also said examinations were underway to construct a field hospital there. Tasci said there was urgent need for foodstuff, underlining that Turkish Red Crescent established a very big logistic center and received a very big depot. "A ship carrying aid will come from Turkey to the region. The equipment that will be shipped will be distributed to people after being collected in the depots," he said. Distribution of the assistance is expected to be concluded within a few days. According to the United Nations, up to 12 million people in the Horn of Africa have been affected by famine. The U.S. Agency for International Development said that more than 29,000 Somali children under the age of 5 have died in the past 90 days while 640,000 Somali children were acutely malnourished. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that more than $1 billion will be necessary to address all the needs. The USA has so far provided almost $460 million to the overall relief effort. Source: worldbulletin.net

^Mid uu isiga sameeye cune.

^Her Somali is better than mine hence she's not say wallahi.

Congrats! I forget you are q@ldaan :-)

^Maybe in the north but southerners call it canbuulo if it's cooked.

Dalxiis bee ku jiraan.

^Everyone calls it digir, only when it's cooked it becomes a canbuulo.

^Digir is raw while canbuulo is boiled or cooked hence boiled digir is called canbuulo.

Nuune-I heard Faroole saying few words about but no sustained effort. Severe droughts are already creating havoc inparts of the North and malnourishment is not uncommon. But I imagine average people in those are helping.

^We should give Ergodan an honorary citizenship and appoint the president for a year..lool

Amazing! It's good to see Turkey moving away from only Euro-centric policies and employing a balanced approach.

UPDATE 1-Turkey's Erdogan to visit famine-hit Somalia ANKARA Aug 10 (Reuters) - Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday he would visit famine-hit Somalia along with his family in the coming days as part of an effort to draw international attention to the East African country's plight. Visits by world leaders to Somalia are extremely rare due to the extreme security risks, but Erdogan was undeterred. "It is impossible for us to be spectators to the human tragedy in Africa," Erdogan said. "My foreign minister and I will visit Somalia with our families. So, we will get a chance to see the situation there," Erdogan told a meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Ankara. It is especially dangerous to visit the Somali capital Mogadishu after Islamist rebels mostly pulled out last weekend, raising the spectre of more guerrilla-style attacks such as suicide bombings after their failure to win a military combat. The government and African peacekeepers admit they do not control all of the capital even after the rebels' withdrawal. The last leader to visit was Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni in November last year. His army contributes more than half of a 9,000-strong African Union peacekeeping force propping up the government. But no one from outside Africa has been for a very long time. Istanbul will host a meeting on Aug. 17 of the 57-nation Organisation of the Islamic Conference aimed at galvanising support for Somalia and drought-struck neighbouring regions. The meeting, which comes during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, was proposed by Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. Turkey sent two cargo planes laden with 50 tonnes of food and medical supplies to Somalia on Monday and the Turkish Red Crescent is working with the government's development agency and Office of Religious Affairs to raise donations from the public. Turkey, with its multi-party democracy and rapidly growing economy, is widely regarded as a model for development in other countries of the Muslim world. Erdogan's wife, Emine, visited flood-stricken areas of Pakistan last year, raising Turkish awareness of its people's plight. Turkey's speedy response to disasters has strengthened its reputation within the Islamic and developing world. (Reporting by Ece Toksabay; Writing by Simon Cameron-Moore; Editing by Gareth Jones)

Today's Zaman August 11, 2011 Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Wednesday announced that he will travel to the famine-stricken African country of Somalia along with his family and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu. The prime minister announced his decision during his Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) Expanded Provincial Leaders Convention. He said he would travel to Somalia within a few days. “Where is the world as people die of hunger in Somalia? Hundreds of people are dying of hunger and thirst. Are they extending their hands? They are thinking about what kind of a profit the opportunities they hold would provide for them. This is a humanitarian issue. … When will the international community cooperate if not today to save the children who walk towards death every day? Those who exploited Africa for years are now watching what is going on with their conscience dead,” Erdoğan said. Somalia is suffering its worst drought in 60 years. A total of 187 out of every 1,000 Somali children die by the age of 5. There are less than 500 physicians in this country of more than 10 million people. The UN on Wednesday declared three new regions in Somalia famine zones, expanding the area where the highest rates of malnutrition and mortality are taking place, including the refugee camps in the capital of Mogadishu. The UN's food arm said famine is likely to spread across all regions of Somalia's south in the next four to six weeks. Famine conditions are likely to persist until December, the Food and Agriculture Organization said. Across Somalia, 3.7 million people are in need, the UN says, out of a population of 7.5 million. The UN also says 3.2 million are in need of immediate, lifesaving assistance. Turkish aid associations as well as the Turkish Red Crescent (Kızılay) and the Religious Affairs Directorate have launched aid campaigns to help the Somali people. Source: Today's Zaman