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Sayid Ahmed Sheikh Dahir |
By Mark Owor
Friday, August 05, 2011
THE Somali Embassy in Kampala, Uganda has launched a fundraising drive for its hunger stricken nationals across Somalia. The initiative was announced today by the Somali ambassador to Uganda Sheik Sayid Ahmed Dahir.
“Across Somalia, more than 3.7 million people – more than half the entire population – are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance”, Sayid said.
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Sayid explained that in some areas in the south, nearly half the population is malnourished and these areas have the highest malnutrition rates in the world. Sayid who addressed the press at their Shimoni Road offices described the situation in Somalia as ‘bad’.
“We have joined local and international efforts to respond to the unfortunate calamity of drought and hunger that has engulfed the nation of Somalia and her people by asking local Ugandans, well-wishers and International donors to commit funds to this emergency and immediately provide lifesaving aid to people affected by the famine and food crisis”, he said.
He said that many people have lost their lives and continue to perish as the situation takes its toll- where the biggest causalities are children, women, PWDs and the Elderly.
Sayid added that the situation, calls for urgent intervention and support from all well-wishers and good thinking people, here in Uganda and else-where.
Sayid called upon all fellow Somali community across leaders in Kampala to initiate the “Save Our Soul Call” for the suffering people in Somalia.
He said the Embassy convened a community meeting, attended by a cross-section of Somali community leaders in Kampala Uganda on 30th July to create a goodwill/ rescue and fundraising committee of seven, under the chairmanship of Shekikh Habiib.
“In collaboration with the Somali Embassy in Kampala, the community has set up a committee to raise aid for the famine stricken people back home,’ said Sayid.
Sayid noted that the committee had already embarked on its task to mobilize resources towards the cause.
He added that all well-wishers and those willing to participate in this noble cause, through contributions are advised to do so through the Chairperson, for easy coordination and his contact numbers is 0772 423 567 .
He said other members included among other Hussein Abukar Hassan, Sheikh Ibrahim, Bashir Mohamed Sabriye, Mohamud Saneely, Shaikh Abduweli Abdullaahi and lastly Ma’alim Mohamed Ibrahim.
He said that the committee had given its self-two weeks to do this fundraising job good willing and all offers contributions and donations in-kind, including clothing’s shall be highly appreciated.
Sayid urged well-wishers to provide support in form of clothing, food and drugs.
He said the donations will be airlifted by UPDF to Mogadishu.