Somaliland Appeals for Donor Aid to Fight Poverty, AIDS

The breakaway republic of Somaliland in northwest Somalia on Thursday asked the international community for help in fighting HIV/AIDS and poverty. "Somaliland is committed to efforts to alleviate poverty and to fight HIV/AIDS epidemic, but we lack a helping hand from donors," said Somaliland's Finance Minister Hussein Ali Duale "Awil" on Thursday. The republic broke away from Somalia in May 1991, five months after dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was overthrown and went into exile. However, it has yet to be recognized by the international community, despite having developed some tools of statehood, including a currency, penal code and flag. "We are appealing to international donors for aid to fight poverty and AIDS scourges, as our meager budget is insufficient to pay salaries to the government employees, as well as build schools, hospitals and finance other development projects of our rural nomadic community," said Awil, adding that his ministry will soon unveil major development projects on HIV/AIDS, poverty and rural school construction.

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