(Communicated by the Foreign Ministry Spokesman)

As part of the international community's effort to eradicate poverty, the State of Israel and American-Jewish organizations have contributed $118,000 to assist the starving in Africa. Israel has decided that the funds donated will be distributed by the World Food Programme (WFP) to the countries of Mauritania, Malawi and Kenya.

Israel was among the first countries to respond positively to the appeals of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the Head of the World Food Programme which were directed to the Foreign Minister. At the same time, Jewish organizations in the United States responded positively to Israel's appeal, and enlisted to provide joint humanitarian assistance. The Jewish organizations are: UJA - Federation of New York, American Jewish Committee, United Jewish Communities of Metro West (NJ), UJA Federation of Northern New Jersey.

The decision to allot the donations to the aforementioned three countries was based upon the joint assessment of Israel and the UN, since the countries are located in a region which has the most pressing humanitarian needs.

The UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, has prioritized the eradication of poverty and hunger, as part of the UN Millennium Development Goals. The UN has therefore expressed its appreciation to the State of Israel, which together with the American-Jewish organizations, confronted one of the most pressing issues on the UN agenda - starvation in Africa.

Israel's readiness to share its experience and know-how, and its contribution to the UN Millennium Development Goals, reflect the importance it attaches to its enlistment in humanitarian activities which top the international community's agenda.