SRCS/ICRC promptly heeds to the government’s call for aid
By M.A. Egge
The Chairman of the Somaliland Red Crescent Society (SRCS), Mr. Ahmed Abdi Bakaal, handed over medical aid to the government, becoming the first organization to respond to the call sent by Somaliland to the world.
The Director General of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Mohamed Abdi Xergeeye, received the aid from the Red Crescent and Red Cross organizations at a ceremony held at the Hargeisa Group Hospital in the presence of officials from the Ministry of Health, the Red Crescent and Red Cross organizations, amongst other distinguished guests.
The Hospital’s director Dr. Abdirahman, said that the hospital was in great need of medicines, hence thanked the ICRC and the Somaliland Red Crescent Society.
Mr. Ahmed Abdi Bakaal, who spoke on the occasion of the transfer of medicines, said that its purpose is to contribute to the national dire needs.
“The medical aid that we are transferring to you came at the request of the President of the Republic of Somaliland, Mr. Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdiahi Irro. When he shared the national need with us, it was necessary to deliver it urgently”, he said.
Chairman Bakaal thanked the International Committee of the Red Cross for responding swiftly to the request of the Red Crescent and the request of the Somaliland nation.
He was grateful to the Minister of Finance, Hon. Abdilaahi Hassan Adan, who played a major role in ensuring that the aid arrived in Hargeisa in a timely manner.
An ICRC spokesperson said that they quickly delivered the medicines when the government’s request was received, and had already played a role in caring for the wounded in Baligubadle and Hargeisa.
Dr. Edna, one of the officials who attended the reception of the medical aid, said she was grateful for the prompt response of the Somaliland Red Crescent Society and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to the government’s call.
The Director General of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Mohamed Abdi Hergeeye said that the medical aid packages consisted of 92 cartons of emergency medical supplies which he noted that was indeed dire for casualty emergency services.
The supplies were immediately distributed and promptly dispatched to Hargeisa, Baligubadle and Erigavo hospitals.
The Somaliland Red Crescent Society is also said to be conducting a project in collaboration with other organizations to financially support 800 families displaced by the skirmishes in Sanaag Region.
The Somaliland community, who read the aid news on social media, also greatly welcomed the swift and prompt action of the International Red Crescent and Red Cross, and called on other organizations to follow suit and respond to the call made by the Somaliland government.