| The rap star Curtis Jackson, known as 50 Cent, was able to see
first-hand the food crisis in the Horn of Africa region during a field visit to Somalia and Kenya this week that was hosted by the United Nations food relief agency.
Mr. Jackson, who last year made a public commitment to provide one
billion meals for the hungry, has been visiting various sites with the
World Food Programme (WFP) such as a
refugee camp in southern Somalia where thousands of women and children
fleeing from drought and conflict have taken shelter.
“What I am seeing is devastating – these women and children have risked
everything to come to this Somalia camp, just to get food,” he said.
“They need our help.”
According to a news release issued by WFP today, during his visit to the
Kabasa refugee camp, Mr. Jackson saw women and children being screened
for malnutrition, and visited a nearby school.
Mr. Jackson also visited a school in a slum in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, where he met children, many of them orphans.
“To meet those kids was so inspiring. They have nothing, yet they are so
positive and optimistic. I want to do my part so they get food and an
education. I hope more people will join me to help end this devastating
situation,” he said, reaffirming his determination to fight hunger in
the region and raise awareness about this cause.
As part of Mr. Jackson’s fundraising efforts, he is donating money to
WFP from the sales of his new energy drink, Street King. For every unit
sold, he has pledged to donate 10 cents, which covers the typical cost
of a WFP meal.
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