(30-11-23) MOGADISHU (HN) — On Thursday, a cargo ship loaded with 25,000 tons of wheat from Russia arrived in Mogadishu, bringing much-needed relief to a nation grappling with severe floods and the effects of El Nino. The humanitarian aid marks a significant gesture from Russia towards Somalia in these challenging times.
Somali Minister of Interior, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, and Mikhail Alekseevich Golovanov, the Russian Ambassador to Djibouti and Somalia, were present at the port to receive the shipment. During the handover ceremony, Golovanov highlighted the aid as a testament to Russia’s ongoing commitment to supporting Somalia.
Expressing Somalia’s gratitude, Minister Fiqi acknowledged the Russian government and President Vladimir Putin for their substantial support. “This donation, the largest we’ve recently received, showcases the Russian government’s deep understanding of the crisis Somalia is facing,” he stated. The aid consists of 500,000 bags of wheat, each weighing 50 kilograms, aimed at addressing the acute food shortage.
Fiqi also spoke about the devastating effects of the floods in Somalia, mentioning the extensive damage to infrastructure, the displacement of nearly 1.1 million people, and the tragic loss of around 100 lives. He ensured that the aid would be quickly distributed to the most affected regions and districts.
Earlier this month, Russian Agriculture Minister Dmitry Patrushev announced the departure of grain shipments for Burkina Faso and Somalia. With the arrival of this shipment, Somalia became the first recipient of such aid, underlining the new initiative’s effectiveness in providing timely assistance to nations in need.
Halqabsi News
