In an effort to curb the severe drought and hunger that is threatening millions of people in Somalia, Germany has said it will double the $76m it had already pledged.
The Germany’s Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel promised this during a surprise visit to the Somali capital of Mogadishu on Monday.
Gabriel met the Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire who thanked Germany for its support, reports the Associated Press (AP).
Germany has already pledged aid worth $76m, Gabriel said after arriving in Mogadishu under tight security.
“We are ready to at least double that,” he said.
According to the UN, there is an estimated 5 million people in Somalia in need of aid, amid warnings of a full-blown.
Somalia is one of countries highlighted by the UN secretary-general last month in a $4.4bn aid appeal to avert catastrophic famine. Other countries named were northeast Nigeria, South Sudan and Yemen. All are affected by violent conflict, the UN chief said.
