S. Korea to send $5 mln in aid for East African nations

SEOUL, July 22 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will send a total of US$5 million in aid for four East African nations hit by a severe famine, the foreign ministry here said Friday.
   The aid follows an urgent request to the international community from the United Nations, and will be used to relieve serious food shortages in Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya and Djibouti, the ministry said in a press release. Djibouti will receive $500,000, while the other three nations will receive $1.5 million each.
   Tens of thousands of people have died in the area, while some 11 million others are estimated to be suffering from malnutrition due to the worst famine in 60 years, the ministry said.
   The aid will be channeled through U.N. agencies such as the World Food Program, the United Nations Children's Fund and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
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