Africa's effort in tsunami relief

Some 54,000 have been affected by the tsunami in Somalia

African nations and citizens have joined the effort to raise money to help the tens of thousands affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami.

Nigeria's President Olusegun Obasanjo set up a national committee to raise funds on Tuesday, following South Africa's example earlier in the week.

The oil-producing nation had already contributed $1m to the UN fund.

To date, Africa has raised more than $5.5m - the bulk of it coming from North Africa.

The figure is expected to rise in the next few days.

Symbolic donations

"Without doubt, this is one of the most devastating and heart-rending disasters to have affected a part of the world in recent human history," Mr Obasanjo said.

AFRICA'S PLEDGES TO DATE African Union: $100,000 Algeria: $2m Libya: $2m Nigeria: $1m Mozambique: $100,000 South Africa Red Cross: $400,000 Somali death toll rises At-a-glance: Countries hit

Mr Obasanjo urged all Nigerians to contribute generously to the fund.

He said more funds will be will be made to the African Union relief fund, AFP news agency reports.

The African Union has made what it calls a "symbolic contribution" of $100,000 to areas affected by the tsunami which has so far claimed an estimated 150,000 lives.

Mozambique - one of the world's poorest countries, which suffered from catastrophic floods four years ago - has also donated $100,000 to the aid appeal.

On Wednesday, the South Africa Red Cross launched a fundraising drive to raise Rand 10m ($1.6m).

Some $400,000 has already been raised in South Africa by the Red Cross through partnerships with banks and supermarkets.

"Our office in Cape Town has been inundated with phone calls from people who want to help in whatever way they can," the Red Cross's Leslie Mondon said.

Hundreds of South Africans missing

The South African government has set up an inter-ministerial committee to co-ordinate the country's relief effort.

South Africa's Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang will be heading to Indonesia on Thursday to attend the summit to co-ordinate the global relief operation.

Ten South Africans in south-east Asia at the time of the tsunami have so far been confirmed dead, with several hundred South Africans unaccounted for.

Other African governments to have made large donations include Algeria and Libya - both pledging $2m.

Kenya is to send 10 doctors and tea to aid tsunami victims.

Meanwhile, the UN launched an appeal to help the tens of thousands of Somalis affected by the tsunami.

Regional authorities in Puntland, the worst-affected area of the country in the north-east, said on Wednesday the death toll has risen to 298.

At least $13m is urgently needed, the UN said on Tuesday.

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Have your say

Do you think Africa is doing enough to help the tsunami victims? Should the continent be concentrating its aid effort more on helping those affected by the tsunami in Somalia? Can the world's poorest continent, which suffers from increasing poverty and falling life expectancy, afford to be so charitable?

Let us know your views using the form below.

A selection of your comments will be broadcast on the BBC's Focus on Africa programme on Saturday 8 January at 1700 GMT.

The following comments reflect the balance of comments received so far:

It shows the generosity of African Spirit, but I really wish that a similar international drive could be launched to help the victims of the Darfur crisis, where the Sudan Government continues it gruesome policy of genocide.
Paul Nantulya, Cape Town, South Africa

Just to remind you of the hypocrisy of the west by running to where the cameras are. Where is Tony Blair's cliche "Africa is a scar on the world's conscience" or is Somalia not in Africa! or does he just mean Christian Africa. Never mind Tony we are Somalis and we can survive.
abdi, london

Without a doubt, the tsunami is one example that disaster knows no bounds! The generosity and human compassion is needed now than never before, both from the rich and the poor, black and white, African, Caucasian, Asian or Arab, Christian, Buddhist or Muslim. This is a time the world should forget colour, poverty religion and come together to help in any way possible.
Gerald Nyachae, Minneapolis USA

Charity and kindness is a fundamental foundation principle of every African either in time of distress or joy. Therefore, irrespective of the gravity of poverty in any African country, the principle remains a bedrock especially at this time.
Qasim Bolaji-Ashogbon, Ojodu, Lagos, Nigeria

Charitable giving is not about poverty or riches, it is about purity of the heart, poor or rich all those who have witnessed the suffering of the people in the affected regions will definitely want to help. Remember the Masai pastoralists sending a gift of cattle to Americans following the 11 September attacks. Africa may be poor in GDP terms, but the people of Africa are very good hearted and should not feel any shame in giving small amounts of money and materials. Help should be directed to all the affected regions, including Somalia.
Kennedy Muturi Nelson, Aberdeen, Scotland

Some African countries can afford to be more generous than others. In my view Libya's "large donation" of $2m is fairly miserly for a country of such vast oil wealth, whereas Mozambique's $100,000 is nominal but, considering its own poverty, shows much more generosity of spirit.
David, Aberdeen, UK

This goes to show that we as Africans are always at hand to help in times of catastrophe . . . denying ourselves and dealing with what needs doing now!! You have to commend countries like Mozambique - this should be a lesson to richer nations of what they should be doing. I have to say I am touched by it. After this disaster maybe richer nations should help Africa beat poverty - for good!
Ida, Newcastle - UK

If the people of Africa wish to help they should feel proud, I'm sure everyone is contributing what they can. There is no need to direct their aid to Somalia, as long as the main aid effort does not ignore it. This disaster has the potential to educate the whole world in the value and importance of charity, let us hope it works.
Chris, UK

Their effort is appreciated but I agree that such effort should be concentrated on the parts of Africa that is affected. More so Obasanjo the Nigerian president who should use the $1m to better the lives of his citizens who currently live in abject poverty and constant fear of their lives.
Susan Rogers, London, UK

What a condescending question? Do you remember the poor family in Mozambique who slaughtered their only chicken to welcome a group of journalists covering the floods there? Africans have always given in terms of drought and war! The west does not quantify the amount of time and resources given by indigenous Africans when supporting refugees. People in Africa do these through the civic societies, including Churches and Mosques. Look at Kenya's harambee system and cause-related marketing by companies in Africa assisting local communities. Back to Mozambique. A group who were affected by floods did contribute some money to people who were affected by floods in Yorkshire. Time for the BBC to highlight this!
William Ang'awa, Sunderland, England

It is my personal opinion that Africa's contribution to the tsunami survivors has not been adequate. I feel particular sad that Nigeria government has given only a paltry $1M. I believe Nigeria is capable of doing more than she has done when you consider her status. To be honest, there is suffering in the land; it's not because of lack but for the fact that we have not put our acts together to harness our resources. I pray that the president will not stop at fantastic statements but rather mobilise corporate Nigeria to contribute substantially. This is a natural disaster that can occur anywhere, could be here tomorrow. Somalia should be attended before going to South Asia.
Rachael K.P, PHC-Nigeria

Africa should do more to help the Tsunami victims. Priority must be given to victims in Somalia who as reported on BBC Focus On Africa have been generally neglected by the international community and given the international community's habitual tendency to treat Africans as Third Human Species.
Bageya Waiswa, Kampala Uganda

Africa's effort in tsunami relief has brought tears in my eyes, this act has shown to all of us we are the same, despite our different cultures, nations, religions, our skin colour or the size of our wallets....at the end we are all humans with heart, feelings, compassion. We all have to feel responsible somehow, to get involve in every way we can. And yes it is a great thing for African countries to be part of this total unity among this disaster. Our worldwide solidarity will show that everything is possible if we all work together. So well done Africa for helping and thank you for giving me tears of hope...xx
Armelle Abbou, London, UK

Why Not? Africa can do more if there were no greedy leaders and dictators on the continent. Why can't they work together through the African Union? I am African and very ashamed of the behaviour of African leaders and I say it again if Nelson Mandela was younger - he could have lectured the African leaders to help. All the African countries are also rich in tourism. Open up all the bank vaults in Switzerland where they have stashed all the money and then help those who need it.
Priscilla Lambert, Crawley, UK

I feel that the questions posed by the BBC are so divisive. Judging from the way you've posed, it presupposes that you have a certain agenda - firstly creating an impression that Africa perhaps ought to be concentrating on the Somali tsunami instead of the Asian crisis. Again, by stressing on the poverty of Africa, it seems the inference here is that it is rather opportune to help the continent than to channel any support elsewhere. I think people are donating in diverse ways because of a felt need. We've seen the pictures and we feel terrible about them. Our donations are geared towards helping mankind in general and not a particular area. We don't need this kind of position to affect our generosity.
Joe (Ghanaian journalist in the UK), Cardiff, UK

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