Hurd says world aid too late for Somalia
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.MOGADISHU (Reuter) - Douglas Hurd, the Foreign Secretary, said yesterday the world had been too slow in reacting to a famine in Somalia that threatens to kill nearly 2 million people. 'We were all collectively too slow,' Mr Hurd told a news conference after a three-hour tour of the shattered capital, Mogadishu, leading a European Community delegation that arrived after visits to South Africa and Kenya. It was the most senior delegation to visit the country since it disintegrated into civil strife 20 months ago when rebels overthrew the dictator, Mohamed Siad Barre.
'Now at least we have a short but vivid impression,' Mr Hurd said after lightning visits to three feeding centres and a hospital sheltering hundreds of hungry and wounded fugitives from war and famine. Mr Hurd, the Danish Foreign Minister, Uffe Ellemann-Jensen, and the Portuguese state secretary, Dura Barroso, visited both sides of the divided capital protected by the gunmen who had destroyed it in a battle for control that ended with a shaky ceasefire in March.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments