SECRETARY-GENERAL NAMES UN REGIONAL HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR FOR DROUGHT IN HORN OF AFRICA

Press Release
SG/SM/7373

SECRETARY-GENERAL NAMES UN REGIONAL HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR FOR DROUGHT IN HORN OF AFRICA

The following statement was issued today by the Office of the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General has asked Manuel Aranda da Silva, a senior staff member with the World Food Programme, to travel immediately to the Horn of Africa to serve as the United Nations Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Drought in the Horn of Africa.

As most of the affected population is located in Ethiopia, Mr. Aranda da Silva will be based in Addis Ababa and will travel throughout the region as required. The United Nations Regional Humanitarian Coordinator and the United Nations Country Teams in the region will coordinate efforts to assist the population affected by the drought. Mr. Aranda da Silva will also work closely with the concerned Governments, strengthen ties with regional organizations and lead humanitarian advocacy and fund-raising efforts related to this crisis.

The Regional Humanitarian Coordinator will leave Rome for Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, on 4 May 2000.

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