Turkish PM Erdogan exhorts support for Somali (update)

ISTANBUL (A.A) - August 17, 2011 - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday that they could not wait for those who have exploited Somalia and Africa in the past to extend a helping hand to Somalia at a time that country was going through a tragedy.
Speaking at a meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation's (OIC) Executive Committee in Istanbul, Erdogan said that voices had to be raised to help drought and famine stricken Somalia.
Turkey has to act as if there was no other country. Turkeu needs to display the solidarity among its citizens to solve the problems of their Somali brothers and sisters, Erdogan stressed.
Today, Turks all the way from age 7 to 70 have extended an helping hand to Somalia, Erdogan said.
Erdogan said the human civilization, states, riches and the G-20 were passing through a test on Somalia.
I want to make it clear that the Somali children have a share in all of our food. It is our task during this holy Ramadan month to help those in need, Erdogan said.
Within this framework, the OIC must increase efforts to help Somalia urgently, Erdogan said.
Erdogan said that "what we need to do now is to turn this will into a solid contribution to Somalia".
We need to continue this togetherness for the bright future of Somalia, Erdogan said.
We should conduct our fast breaking meals for Somalia and lit a candle for them, Erdogan stressed.
Today, there is a fire in Somalia that must be extinguished. We need to think about the post-fire era and help Somalia by providing various services, Erdogan noted.
In order for Somalia to go through this great disaster with the least losses, Turkey is by Somalia with all of its resources, Erdogan also said.