Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) serving under African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) have donated consumables for use to more than thirty homesteads in Bilkeir Internally Displaced People’s camp.
Delivered on Friday, April 21st, the consumables were to support beneficiaries during Eid Al Fitr celebration at the Marine Gate in Mogadishu City.
Items included goats, rice, sugar, cooking oil, liquid soap among others.
Col. Graphine Kantinti, the Deputy Sector One Contingent Commander, congratulated the Muslim fraternity for successfully completing the Holy Month of Ramadan.
Col. Kantinti, informed the beneficiaries that sharing is a sign of love, respect and sacrifice.
“Please accept our small token of appreciation. We wish you a blessed and happy Eid. May Allah accept your fasting, prayers and good deeds? You have shown us compassion, unity and generosity towards information sharing and togetherness. Continue praying for total peace for this country. Eid Mubarak,” Col. Kantinti said.
However, Col. Kantinti explained that unlike the previous years when hotels, government buildings, or busy streets in Mogadishu city would be bombed or raided in this season, this year’s Holy month of Ramadan has ended peacefully without any significant incident. Perhaps this is part of the concerted efforts of the Somali population in collaboration with all the security forces.
Mama Shamso Aapan, the women leader of Bilkeir camp, thanked the sector one commander for his generosity towards their challenges.
She noted that the community is facing a number of challenges ranging from lack of food, sickness, poor shelter and congestion.
“But you have always come to our rescue during time of need. What you have given us today is going to help us feed our children and elderly people. We request you to come and treat our sick people in the camp,’’ Aapan said.
Maj Fred Nuwagaba Maligano, the sector one Contingent Civil-Military Coordination officer, said that they considered the neediest homesteads in Bilkeir camp for the items having been secured from the meagre resources.
He promised to solicit support from humanitarian agencies to render more assistance to vulnerable communities in the IDP camps.
