Somalia: Mother of refugee who set herself on fire shares her pain

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GAROWE, Somalia-The mother of a young refugee woman who set herself alight on the small Pacific island of Nauru wants to see her daughter, and asks Somali authorities to arrange travel documents including passport for her as soon as possible. 

In an exclusive interview with Garowe Online’s Ahmed Awil Jama, Hali Ismael Adan shared pain inflicted on her by the news regarding suffering of the refugee born to a poor family in northwestern town after preferring self-immolation to off-shore detention center run by Australia on May 2. 

Adan made a plea for help, noting that she has not been in touch with her daughter for eight years.  

“I’ve been told that my daughter is struggling for life. I watched this sad news on TV and this was indeed horrible and total anguish!” explained the somber mother. 

“I was in Wajale when the incident grabbed the media. I can’t give you further details because I am reeling from so much grief for the burn injuries on my daughter,” she wept.  

Adan is a mother of eight—all orphan--and makes morsel from selling vegetables and fruits at a makeshift stall.  

“Her name is Hodon Yasin Barre… When we last met, it was 8 years ago and there have been no contacts between us.

 She lost her father, I don’t have mobile phone. There’s a dire situation.” The mother who is now in Garowe pleaded with Somalis and Australian government to help her meet the daughter said to be suffering critical injuries.  

“I request Australia to help me and my children meet my daughter so that we can share the pain with her.

I’ve heard that she is now in better condition,” addedAdan. 

The self-harm incident attracted international media attention in May, demonstrating once more the desperate plight of Somali refugees.

WACH THE VIDEO INTERVIEW 

GAROWEONLINE 

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