Horn of Africa Crisis

18 August 2011, Rome, Italy - An international emergency meeting in Rome will examine measures to address the crisis in the Horn of Africa and to mobilize international support for affected countries. The meeting, organized by FAO at the request of the French Presidency of the Group of 20, is expected to be attended by Ministers and senior representatives from FAO's 191 member countries, other UN bodies, inter-governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and regional development banks.


MEDIA ADVISORY

Horn of Africa follow-up and response actions meeting at FAO, 18 August

10:00 - 13:00hrs / 15:00 - 18:00hrs
FAO, Rome (Red Room, 1st floor)

On 18 August 2011 FAO is hosting a meeting of its member countries and humanitarian and development partners aimed at strengthening the international community's response to the deteriorating food situation in the Horn of Africa.

The meeting will take stock of the evolving situation, needs and shortfalls in the crisis, and identify concrete programmes, projects and other actions by governments in the Horn of Africa and their humanitarian and development partners that will address both immediate requirements and the underlying causes of the crisis.

It follows up on the Emergency Ministerial-level Meeting on the Horn of Africa held at FAO on 25 July and will provide inputs for the United Nations and the African Union Pledging Conferences.

Speakers include:

Jacques Diouf, FAO Director-General

Abdullahi Hagi Hassan Mohamed Nuur, Minister for Agriculture, Somalia

Sally Kosgei, Minister for Agriculture, Kenya

Afonso Pedro Canga, Minister for Agriculture, Angola (Chairman of the FAO Regional Conference for Africa)

Z.M. Nyiira, Secretary for State for Agriculture, Uganda

Mahboub Maalim, Executive Secretary, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)

Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union

Yukiko Omura, Vice-President, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

Sheila Sisulu, Deputy Executive Director, World Food Programme (WFP)

Penny Lawrence, acting Chief Executive and Director of International Programmes, OXFAM

Information for journalists:

The meeting is open to accredited media. For accreditation, send a copy of a valid press card or a letter of assignment on company stationery and a copy of your passport / ID by email to FAO-Newsroom@fao.org or fax to (+39) 06 5705 3729.

The meeting agenda is available at:
www.fao.org/docrep/meeting/023/mb840e_Rev2.pdf

The meeting can be watched live online via FAO webcasting at:
www.fao.org/webcast/

Photographic coverage will be made available at FAONews on Flickr, or by request via the FAO Photo Library: photo-library@fao.org or (+39) 06 570 53399 / 06 570 53082

For additional information and related documents: www.fao.org/crisis/horn-africa/emergency-meeting-aug-2011...

Inquiries:

Tel: (+39) 06 570 53625
Email: FAO-Newsroom@fao.org

Tools for journalists & editors:
Request photos: (+39) 06 570 53399 or photo-library@fao.org

Video material/b-roll: (+39) 06 570 55980 / 53963

Audio material: (+39) 06 570 53223

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Online newsroom: www.fao.org/news/newsroom-home/en/

FAO's media office on Twitter: twitter.com/#!/faonews

More tools online: www.fao.org/news/newsroom-journalists/en/