In view of the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the orders of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to provide humanitarian assistance to the Somali people, a delegation from the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation (KF) is visiting the East African country to assess the needs of the Somali people so as to alleviate their suffering as a result of the drought.

A source at the KF stated that a team from the foundation would visit the drought-hit regions including Hargeisa, Salal and Awdal, to co-ordinate with local officials on purchasing relief material from the local markets to be distributed to the needy.

A number of Somali officials, during meetings with the KF team, praised the UAE's honourable stance towards brotherly and friendly nations. They said the UAE extends a helping hand to those in need in different parts of the world. They also commended the humanitarian initiatives of the KF towards the needy.

The KF, they noted, was the first to respond to the humanitarian appeal to help the Somalis.