Wednesday April 3, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) - Somalia is actively raising funds to support Palestinians in Gaza. The Somali Action Network (SAN), led by Sheikh Abdihayi Sheikh Adan, has set a target of $5 million. The campaign, launched last week, aims to assist those in Gaza facing severe hardships due to ongoing conflict and blockades.
Sheikh Abdi Hayi stated, "The Somali nation is deeply empathetic towards the children and women enduring the war, hunger, and deprivation. We Somalis are inherently compassionate."
He added that the decision to help was made by educated individuals, scholars, and businessmen.
Aid delivery to the region faces significant challenges, with many trucks stuck at the Egyptian border and aid workers' lives increasingly at risk from intensified attacks. The Gaza Strip is experiencing extreme hunger, with a looming famine in the north and a healthcare system on the brink of collapse.
Sheikh Abdihayi emphasized the importance of global solidarity, reflecting on Somalia's own experiences of receiving international support during crises: "Our own experiences of receiving global support have motivated this initiative." He highlighted the collaboration with organizations that aid orphans, widows, and children in Gaza, ensuring that the funds raised reach those in need through Palestinians living abroad.
Despite the logistical difficulties in delivering aid to Gaza, where half of the infrastructure has been destroyed or damaged, SAN is committed to reaching its fundraising goal during Ramadan. Sheikh Abdihayi stated that the initiative is inspired by Somalia's previous global aid during the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring a continuous effort to assist despite Somalia's challenges.
More than 50% of Gaza's infrastructure, including critical facilities, has been damaged or destroyed. Aid agencies report significant restrictions on aid entry, accusing Israel of deliberately limiting access to critical supplies.
With files from the BBC