AEGiS-UNAIDS: German President Supports Campaign To Raise Awareness of Africa's Humanitarian Crisis

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

German President Supports Campaign To Raise Awareness of Africa's Humanitarian Crisis

World Food Programme (Rome) - November 5, 2003

Johannes Rau, the Federal President of Germany, and leading popstar Herbert Gronemeyer, have joined forces to support an unprecedented German campaign designed to raise awareness of Africa's humanitarian crisis.

The so-called Altogether for Africa campaign will highlight the plight of Africa, where poverty and illnesses like AIDS and malaria are threatening the short-term survival and long-term development of millions of people.

President Rau has agreed to become the campaign's patron while Gronemeyer will serve as an Ambassador, kicking-off the nationwide three-day campaign with a special concert in Oberhausen on November 7.

JOINT ACCOUNT

Altogether for Africa will unite some 26 development and emergency aid organisations under a common slogan, with Germans invited to donate to a joint account.

"I am happy that 26 development aid and humanitarian organisations have come together in the aid campaign 'Altogether for Africa' to help relieve the plight of people in Africa," said Federal President Rau.

Organisers hope the German population will make a national gesture of solidarity and global responsibility toward the African continent and its people.

"Altogether for Africa is not about sympathy, but about making a gesture of solidarity and helping others through direct action," said Gronemeyer, who is visiting aid projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda ahead of the campaign.

"Let's give a part of what we have received in aid in the past century and upon which our prosperity is founded. And also a part of what we have taken from Africa. Whatever the amount, donate money to support the people in Africa along their path to independence, democracy and autonomy."

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