African Union Pledges $100,000 to Areas Hit by Asian Tsunami

The African Union says it is making a symbolic contribution of $100,000 to areas affected by the Asian tsunami.

In announcing the donation, the African Union expressed its solidarity with victims from southeast Asia to the Indian Ocean coast of Africa.

The chairman of the African Union Commission, Alpha Oumar Konare, also expressed his solidarity and sympathy to everyone affected by the disaster.

He commended efforts by nations that are working to alleviate suffering, and called on African Union member states to provide assistance.

The tsunami devastated coastal areas from Malaysia to East Africa.

At least 200 people died in the northern Somali fishing community of Halfun. The ocean surge also took lives in Tanzania, the Seychelles, and Kenya.

Some information for this report provided by AFP and Reuters.