Australia delivers more relief to Sudan, Kenya

May 21, 2006 (CANBERRA) — Australia’s foreign minister, Alexander Downer, has announced that the country will deliver 11.5m Australian dollars (8.7m US) in emergency relief to four African nations.

The assistance will be given to Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania and Zimbabwe, where there are major food shortages.

Downer says there is unprecedented demand on Australia’s emergency funds as many African nations are affected by drought and conflict.

He says more than half the money will go to Sudan, were 1.5 million people are living in temporary camps having fled violence.

Since May 2004, Australia has contributed $40.1 million in aid, mainly to Darfur, and since early 2003 Australia has issued more than 14,000 humanitarian visas to displaced Sudanese.

(ST)