Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmet Yıldız was briefed Monday on the drought situation in Horn of Africa region during his visit to the capital of Ethiopia Addis Ababa.

Yıldız, who is leading a delegation of Organization of Islamic Conference, said his meetings with Ethiopian officials were pivotal for coordinating assistance in the region.

National Disaster Risk Management Commissioner Mitiku Kassa briefed the delegation specifically about the drought situation in Ethiopia.

Ethiopia has been hit by severe drought over the decades that has affected 7.8 million people; last week it appealed for international emergency food aid which it said would run out in July.

Yıldız said that the purpose of the visit was to find out the impact of drought and famine in the region, and collect input from local authorities.

"We have got necessary information from our discussion and we are here to look into how to coordinate priorities of assistance and implementation," he added.

The Turkish deputy foreign minister also held talks with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Workineh Gebeyehu.

We have "excellent relations" with Turkey over various fields, Gebeyehu said.

Yıldız said Turkey's ties with Africa were based on long-term and strategic partnership.

"We will help our African brothers in every possible way," he said.

The Turkish deputy foreign minister will visit South Sudan, Kenya and Somalia next.