Former Finnish President named Annan's envoy for Horn of Africa

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan named former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari as his Special Envoy for the humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa on 18 June. He will assist Ethiopia and Eritrea and the international community to find ways to end the humanitarian crisis in the region. At least 14 million people are threatened with starvation.

Mr Ahtisaari's tasks include securing finance for humanitarian aid, supporting the efforts of international agencies, evaluating the tasks and coordination required and negotiating with the governments involved. He will assume his new tasks shortly. It is not a full-time task.

Further information: Lars Backström, head of Unit for Humanitarian Assistance at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel: + 358 40 726 6033, or Antti Pentikäinen, Advisor, Office of President Ahtisaari, tel. + 358 40 531 3514.