Tánaiste announces €3m donation to Somalia

The Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has said Ireland has donated €3m to Somalia, in order to save lives.

Mr Gilmore announced the aid package yesterday as he tours the Horn of Africa region.

The funding will provide food, shelter and other assistance to thousands of Somalis affected by conflict and hunger.

Minister Gilmore's visit coincides with the one-year anniversary of the UN’s declaration of famine in Somalia in July 2011.

He is the first Irish minister to travel to the African country in more than two decades.