On July 24th, ONE cofounder Bono and a Somali singer and poet K'naan met in Minneapolis to discuss and draw attention to the growing famine in Somalia.
In Somalia food crisis has led to the deaths of tens of thousands of people and is putting nearly 12 million people's lives at risk.
There has been very little press coverage of the crisis in the US to date. This is despite the obvious gravity of the situation.
Somalia is facing the worst drought in 60 years, which has created a food and water crisis. The drought has been exacerbated by the lack of government and infrastructure. Thousands of people have been forced to flee the country. Families are walking for days to reach refugee camps in Kenya and Ethiopia.
After the meeting Bono stated, "the crisis is going to be solved by Somalis taking control, taking charge. I'm here to listen and learn and to serve their efforts." Bono performed a duet with K'nann of "Stand by Me," in solidarity with the people of Somalia.
-Gabrielle Gurian
SOURCE: ONE.COM