Beletweyne, 25 May 2023 – Troops from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) have donated food items and medical supplies to people driven out of their homes by raging floods in Beletweyne.
“We are grateful to the Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF) for coming out to help the communities affected by the floods,” said ATMIS Sector 4 Commander Col. Hassan Djama Farah, on Wednesday following an urgent appeal for help from Hiran region administrators.
Col. Farah applauded the Ethiopian Forces for the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention to support affected communities. The donations included rice, medical tablets, tinned foods and flour among others.
Col. Shumet Telelew Endeshaw, the Deputy Sector Four Commander, stated: “Food supplies we are handing over to the local administration are personal contributions of the forces from their monthly rations.”
He observed that ATMIS was committed to promoting peace and stability in Somalia and supporting communities during disasters and natural calamities.
Ahmed Afyare Duqow from the office of the Mayor of Beletweyne received the supplies on behalf of the residents. He applauded the ENDF for offering a helping hand to the residents who bore the brunt of the floods and ensuring fair and equal distribution of the supplies.
Dr. Ali Mohamed Halane from Hirshabelle State’s Ministry of Health and Social Service said the medical supplies would be distributed to various health facilities, including makeshift clinics set up in IDP (Internally Displaced People) Camps.
The residents of Beletweyne are among the worst affected by the flooding, after River Shabelle burst its banks.
The flooding in Beletweyne has so far killed 23 people and displaced 400,000 people.