MUIS RAISES FUNDS FOR SOMALI FAMINE VICTIMS

SINGAPORE, Sept 8 (Bernama) -- Donation boxes will be placed at all the 69
mosques in Singapore from Sept 9 to Sept 15 to collect funds to help the
famine victims in Somalia.

The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) said funds collected under
the Rahmatan Lil Alamin (Blessings to All) Foundation would be channelled to the
victims through the Singapore Red Cross.

It said the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) worked closely
with the Somali Red Crescent Society in delivering relief efforts in Somalia.

Hundreds of thousands of Somalis have been displaced and millions continue
to depend on aid because of drought.

MUIS said that though famine was officially declared a few weeks ago in
Somalia, not much assistance had reached the affected people due to the
inaccessibility and hazardous situation of the region, made worse by the
continued armed conflict in the country.

-- BERNAMA