France is tripling its aid to the famine-hit Horn of Africa to 30 million euros ($43 million) and has offered logistical help to distribute aid, government spokeswoman Valerie Pecresse said.
President Nicolas Sarkozy "announced this morning that France was tripling its aid to the Horn of African by bringing it to 30 million euros," Pecresse said Monday after a cabinet meeting.
The French defence and foreign ministries could "ensure logistical support for aid" aimed at relieving the worst famine to hit the east African region in decades, she said.
The United Nations has declared a famine in two regions of southern Somalia but the effects of the drought have been felt more widely across the war-torn country, as well as in parts of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.
The United Nations said on Friday that a total of $2.48 billion was required in order to reach the 12.4 million people affected.
del.icio.us
Digg
Reddit
Google
