26 Aug 2011

Drought crisis funds conference

5:39 am on 26 August 2011

African Union members are meeting in Ethiopia to raise money for the drought crisis in the Horn of Africa.

The AU has already pledged $US500 million, but the UN says that at least another $US2 billion is required to help at least 12 million people.

It is East Africa's worst drought in 60 years.

Brazil Britain, China, Japan, Turkey and the United States have all pledged funds to the region, as has the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation.

Aid agency Oxfam says only a handful of African countries have donated money so far.

The BBC reports the fund-raising conference is the first of its kind for the AU.