Somaliland appeals for humanitarian support

[Deeq A.]

 

Somaliland has launched a combined USS2 billion to urgently deliver humanitarian and livelihood support to an estimated 5,000 small, medium, and large family businesses.

Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi Wednesday signed an appeal, with an emergency of high-level magnitude, to the international community and friends of Somaliland for help on Hargeisa Market Fire.

On 1st April, 2022, an immense fire engulfed the entire market and rendered it into oblivion.

In a statement from the office of the president of Somaliland, the human causalities consisted 27 burned individuals and no deaths reported.

”This unprecedented fire disaster affected every family in Hargeisa, directly or indirectly, and thus the economic and psychological impacts of the affected populations is undoubtedly enormous.” Said President Bihi.

The Waaheen market has been rated as one of the most economically vibrant trading centers in Somaliland and has been the seat of all financial exchange transactions in the region.

It serves the entire country of Somaliland and most of the neighboring countries.

The disaster has triggered an immediate and steep rise of commodity prices and has worsened the already prevailing globally triggered inflation.

“We need to ramp up our response now to mitigate and protect the lives of the most vulnerable populations; mostly of women and children. We must respond with compassion and solidarity collectively, including a) the donors, b) the private sector c) the Government of Somaliland, d) the Somaliland diaspora and e) the international community.” Said the President.

According to the statement, the envisaged programme includes multipurpose cash assistance for the most vulnerable group of the affected population, food assistance,and shelter assistance to rehabilitate damaged buildings.

Additionally, the plan aims to deliver support to the municipal authorities to maintain and establish six (6) temporary locations for the affected population to carry on their businesses while the main market (Waaheen) is being re-built and re-introduced.

Qaran News