Hope appeared in the horizon for victims of famine and draught in Somalia and other parts of Africa as President Goodluck Jonathan who is also the Chairman of the Economic community of West African States (ECOWAS) has promised appropriate responses to the menace. Jonathan stated this when former President of Ghana and African Union Representative for Somalia, Mr. Jerry Rawlings, came to brief him on the dire situation and the need for an urgent step to be taken to address the famine ravaging that part of the continent. "Famine in the Horn of Africa is worrisome, and African leaders must take action to help this unfortunate situation," Jonathan said, adding that there was the need for commitment in helping the famine-ravaged populace. Rawlings who fielded questions from State House Correspondents after the parley with Jonathan said it was a testing ground for the continent and insisted that the continent must rise to the challenge, as the problem was severe. Painting a grim picture of the situation, he insisted that a situation where hungry children and women carry others and trek for over 50 kilometres to access food centres was too bad and requires urgent attention. The former Ghanaian leader said they have set aside August 15, 2011 for AU to be recognised as Somali day to spread information and concern over the plight of the country.