President's office to help coordinate aid efforts in drought- stricken East Africa

The Turkish president's office announced yesterday that it would help aid groups coordinate their humanitarian assistance efforts in drought-stricken East Africa. The announcement came at a meeting convened by Presidential Secretary-General Mustafa Isen, as directed by President Abdullah Gul. In addition to various state agencies, representatives from civil society organizations also attended the meeting at the Cankaya Presidential Palace. Meanwhile, President Gul posted a message on micro-blogging site Twitter calling for more humanitarian aid to African countries.