Heads of state and other representatives from 11 African countries are gathering in Kenya's capital this week for their Great Lakes conference. The leaders are expected to sign a pact that sets out plans to increase security, stability, and development in the area. Cathy Majtenyi reports for VOA from Nairobi.

The U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), announced today that it is providing $100,000 to the Kenyan Red Cross Society to support emergency relief assistance to hard-hit flood victims in affected areas of Kenya.