Assisting Somalia through airlifts, social media

The aid will be handed over to humanitarian organisation 'Gift of the Givers' for distribution in the famine-ravaged area. The airline provided an aircraft with all the necessary administration and services required to ensure safe delivery of the cargo.

MD of Interactive Africa, Ravi Naidoo, who has been spearheading calls to South African companies such as Tiger Brands, Foodcorp, Coca Cola, ABSA, e.tv, Old Mutual Foundation and Sanlam Investments to join the efforts and make both monetary and food parcel contributions, says, "The acute malnutrition and death rates have surpassed famine thresholds, especially among young children. The current humanitarian response remains inadequate and reports suggest that the famine conditions are expected to persist until the end of the year. We want to bring about the slightest change and assist those in need and we're calling on more South Africans to assist."

To support further relief flights to Somalia, go to www.designindaba.com/relief-fund.

Socialise For Somalia

SocInteract is a US social networking website that describes itself as unique in that it brings social media together with charity. Its current drive is to raise funds and awareness for the Somalia famine crisis through fund raising either directly for the United Nations or for other non-profit organisations directly involved in relief for Somalia.

This social network website consolidates all fundraising efforts into one place to go for any organisation or individual who chooses to donate to the Somalia famine crisis.

The users can donate in two different ways. The first is by paying the subscription to the SocInteract website, where a portion of that will go towards Somalia. The users will then be able to click on the link and go directly to that non-profit organisation and donate to Somalia. SocInteract will then process regular payments to those featured non-profit organisations raising funds for the Somalia famine crisis.

The social network will then go to work and generate many more donors. The users can invite their friends and family to join in building a Somalia social network. One person signing up could mean many more people being invited and donating to Somalia.

For more information, go to www.socinteract.com.