Six African countries, on Tuesday, June
2, 2002, received grants from the Organization of African Unity (OAU),
totaling US$1.2 million in humanitarian assistance. The countries, namely:
Zambia, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Tanzania and Mozambique each received
a cheque for the sum of US$200,000.
Presenting the cheques to the country's
Representatives at a ceremony in his office, here in Durban, South Africa,
Mr. Essy stated that the grant was meant to help alleviate the suffering
of African brothers and sisters hit by a devastating drought.
The Permanent Representative of the Republic of Zambia to the OAU, and Dean of the Southern African Region, whose country is the outgoing Chairman of the OAU, Ambassador Simataa Akapelwa, speaking on behalf of himself and his colleagues expressed appreciation to the Committee on Special Emergency Assistance Fund for Drought and Famine in Africa, and the OAU Secretary General, for the donation. He assured Mr. Essy that the donations would be sent to their respective governments.
Durban, June 4, 2002.