Kenya's Senate Speaker Ekwee Ethuro on Monday led MPs from around the
world in asking developed countries to help alleviate the suffering of millions
in Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Uganda due to famine and
drought.
Speaking when he introduced a motion for debate at the ongoing
Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting in Bangladesh, Mr Ethuro decried the slow
response by the global community in addressing the humanitarian situation
affecting 12.8 million people.
"The responsibilities of industrialised nations are brought
into focus: they should mitigate climate change and support vulnerable
countries to adapt to the negative impacts of climate change, especially food
security," said Mr Ethuro.
The emergency motion is intended to draw attention to the urgent
action needed to save millions from famine and drought in parts of Africa and
Yemen.
It was sponsored by Kenya, Belgium and the United Kingdom and
had the support of The Africa Group and the 12 Plus Group, which brings
together about 40 countries.
SERIOUS THREAT
The motion was adopted for debate after garnering 932 votes
against 136 opposing and 50 abstaining from voting. The meeting in Dhaka brings
together about 700 lawmakers from 132 countries.
Mr Ethuro said the situation in East Africa and the Horn of
Africa poses a serious threat to human dignity, regional peace, security and
stability.
He argued that the developed countries should be at the
forefront in terms of offering humanitarian support to the developing nations
facing drought and famine since they emit largest amounts of greenhouse gases
resultant to climate change.
He urged the intergovernmental organisation and the developed
nations to commit necessary resources to provide humanitarian support and
nutritional relief to critically affected areas in the Horn of Africa, as well
as long-term development assistance.
The Senate Speaker, however, criticised them for offering lip
service while having made commitments toward offering humanitarian support
during the Parliamentary Forum at the second High Level Meeting of the Global
Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation held in Kenya in November
2016 and the Regional Seminar on the Sustainable Development Goals for the
Parliaments of Sub-Saharan Africa held in Uganda in March this year.
Other members of Kenya's delegation participating in IPU
Committees include David Pkosing (Pokot South, Jubilee), Susan Musyoka
(Machakos woman rep, Wiper), Jude Njomo (Kiambu Town, Jubilee), Michael Onyura
(Butula, Federal Party) and Leonard Sang (Bureti, Jubilee).
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