Somalia: 'Puntland development activities very encouraging' says Mark Bowden 10 Jul 10, 2012 - 9:26:11 AM
GAROWE, Somalia Jul 10 2012 (Garowe Online) - UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia met with Puntland President in Garowe to discuss progress and current issues, Garowe Online reports.
President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole met with UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Mark Bowden, at the presidential palace in Garowe on Tuesday.
Puntland President Dr.Farole during meeting with Mark Bowden Photo (Garowe Online)
The two had a long private meeting where they discussed drought problems in coastal areas, development in coastal and rural areas and the issue of charcoal trade in Somalia.
Following their meeting both President Farole and Mark Bowden gave a brief statement to the media discussing their meeting and its outcomes.
President Farole said that development in the coast and towns across Puntland was a key area which was discussed.
"We discussed development in towns and villages off of the main road in Puntland and preemptive measures in coastal areas that are feeling the affects of drought," said Farole.
The UN's Mark Bowden also talked about possible emergency relief in areas facing drought and mentioned a "new mission" in Puntland to asses the charcoal trade.
"We talked extensively about issues like the charcoal trade, where were planning a new mission here to look at the issue of charcoal trade and Puntland's handling of the charcoal trade," said Mr. Bowden.
The charcoal trade and its deforestation effects had caused serious problems to the environment in Puntland. However extensive awareness raising and campaigning have reduced the trade in Puntland although the trade is still a lucrative industry in much of Somalia.
According to Puntland officials the UN's mission will report on how the charcoal trade was reduced in Puntland and what strategy was used.
After the conference, Mark Bowden took a tour of ongoing projects and various sites in Garowe, saying that the development activities in Puntland were "very encouraging" and indicated his pleasure with Puntland's developmental progress.
