Mr. Kjell Magne Bondvik
The United Nations Special Humanitarian Envoy for the Horn of Africa Mr. Kjell Magne Bondevik will address a Press Conference after completing a five-nation mission to Eritrea, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya.
Earlier in the week, Mr. Bondevik met with President Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea and representatives of the humanitarian community where he reiterated the United Nations commitment to securing the necessary resources for immediate humanitarian needs and long-term food security interventions in drought stricken areas.
Mr. Bondevik also met with President Ismail Omar Guellen, of Djibouti, and representatives of donor countries, the United Nations country team and Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD). A visit to a Government run Balbala Hospital, where severely malnourished children are treated, revealed the direct consequence of the drought on children.
| Press Conference | Mr. Kjell Magne Bondevik |
| Invites | Nairobi-based Journalists |
| Date: | Tuesday, 2nd May 2006 |
| Time : | 12.00 PM |
| Venue: | Ibis Room, Norfolk Hotel, Nairobi |
In Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia the Special Envoy will meet with senior Government officials and representatives of the United Nations agencies, international organizations and non-governmental organizations working in the humanitarian and development sectors as well as representatives of donor countries. The meetings will offer Mr. Bondevik the opportunity to emphasize the vital link between humanitarian relief assistance and long-term development aimed at improving food security. He will also travel to drought-affected areas in those countries to assess drought conditions and the impact caused by the recent heavy rains and flooding.
NOTE: The United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan appointed the former Prime Minister of Norway, as his new Special Humanitarian Envoy for the Horn of Africa in February 2006, in response to the recurrent drought and food insecurity that is threatening the lives of 11 million people in the region.
For further information, please contact:
Luluwa Ali
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,
Regional Support Office-Central and East Africa
Tel: +254-020-7621004
Cell: +254-733-730535
Email:luluwa.ali@regionalOCHA.org
