African Union forces take fight against COVID-19 to IDP camps in Somalia

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MOGADISHU, Somalia - The African Union Mission in Somalia has taken the fight against Coronavirus pandemic to Internally Displaced Persons [IDPs] camps in Somalia, as part of efforts to help the war-torn nation to combat the virus, which threatens lives of hundreds of people.

On Friday, AMISOM presented a range of personal protection and hygiene supplies to the Internally Displaced Persons [IDPs] and vulnerable civilians in the Banadir region, which is so far the worst hit, recording close to 1,800 positive cases.

As of Saturday, Somalia had recorded a total of 2,579 cases of COVID-19 according to the data retrieved from the health department. Of these cases, 559 have recovered while 87 have since succumbed to the virus.

With the Banadir region being the hotspot, AMISOM distributed a number of items donated by Italian National Support Element’s Civil-Military Cooperation Cell [CIMIC] through funds provided by Italian NGO, CARITAS, which is based in Djibouti with operations in Somalia and other East African countries.

These items included face masks, gloves, washing soap and hand sanitizers, infrared thermometers, and water storage jerry cans to be converted to handwashing stations. They are meant to protect the vulnerable population from the possible contraction of the disease.

Major Nicholas Abiribale, the Sector I commanding officer of AMISOM, thanked the Italian Government, the Italian CIMIC Cell, and CARITAS Somalia for their ongoing support to CIMIC activities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“These items are specifically for the IDPs, and vulnerable civilians living in the surrounding areas of AMISOM in the Banadir and Lower Shabelle. It will make a huge difference to their health and safety especially in these difficult times of Coronavirus,” he said in a statement punished by the peacekeepers.

Receiving the items, a Community leader, Sheikh Abdi, thanked both the Italian Government and AMISOM for the donation. He was grateful for the support which would contribute towards protecting them from the pandemic.

The donation comes at the time the officials from the ministry of health are being prosecuted for allegedly diverting millions of dollars from donors, which were meant to help the country effectively fight the pandemic.

Last week, nine officers were arraigned in a Banadir court where eight charges among them abuse of office and defrauding the public, were pressed against them. The proceedings are set to resume this week.

Justice Abdirahman Saed Ahmed said that the prosecution had presented over 900 alleged fake receipts, vouchers, and invoices allegedly used by the suspects to defraud the public. The second phase for hearing is slated for next week, he added.

Somali cabinet recently approved anti-corruption laws that are geared towards helping to combat corruption, one of the emerging threats for Somalia's quest for economic stability and growth.

Last month, Attorney General Saleban Mohamed Mohamud said over 20 senior health officials have been arrested, their bank accounts were frozen with police seizing incriminating evidence in form of fake receipts, payment slips, and cheques used to satisfy the fraudulent activities.

"The Office of the Attorney General is handling a corruption case which started from the Ministry of Health and later spread to other ministries and top government officials," he had said in a rare press conference.

"We've detained more than 20 officials including directors within the Health Ministry, heads of government departments and project coordinators, consultants and staff from private firms working with Ministry of Health," he added.

With almost a dysfunctional healthcare system, Somalia has been depending on well-wishers to tackle the pandemic, which has continued to wreak havoc across the world. The country is yet to resume domestic flights, with sources saying that the government is keen to adopt workable protocols to avert the spread.

AMISOM has been chipping in by cushioning the vulnerable community besides offering medical supplies. The African forces are set to leave Somalia next year in compliance with the Somalia Transition Plan according to mission chief Francisco Madeira.

GAROWE ONLINE

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