With regard to South Africa's relief programme in Somalia, the ANC would like to commend Dr Imtiaz Sooliman and the Gift of the Givers team for their sterling humanitarian work performed in the troubled, poverty-stricken East African country of Somalia. Once again, Dr Sooliman and his team have made South Africa proud as they carried the pride of our nation.
In acknowledgement of the sterling work done by the Gift of the Givers, the ANC-led government has pledged to donate R8 million. Of this amount, R4 million will be donated to this not-for-profit, nongovernmental organisation, Gift of the Givers, to cover the exorbitant costs of fuel and the transportation of donated goods and medical supplies. The balance thereof will be donated to other organisations that will also undertake relief programmes in Somalia.
In order to assist the dire humanitarian and socioeconomic situation prevailing in Somalia, the ANC calls on South Africans and the rest of the world to pledge solidarity and to give the necessary support aimed at the alleviation of the position of the internally displaced persons and refugees. [Applause.]