Somalia: UPDF Celebrates Eid-Al-Fitr, Donates to IDPs

More than 30 homesteads from Bilkeir Internally Displaced Peoples’ camp shared consumables for use during Eid Al Fitr celebrations. Items included goats, rice, sugar, cooking oil, liquid soap and others donated by Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) serving under ATMIS (African Union Transition Mission in Somalia) at Marine Gate in Mogadishu city.

The Deputy Sector One Contingent Commander, Col Graphine Kantinti, congratulated the Muslim fraternity for successfully completing the Holy Month of Ramadan. He informed beneficiaries that sharing the items 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,” said Col Kantinti.

It should be noted 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. UPDF said this could part of the concerted efforts of the Somali population in collaboration with all the security forces.

The women leader of camp Bilkeir, Mama Shamso Aapan 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.”

The sector one Contingent Civil-Military Coordination officer, Maj Fred Nuwagaba Maligano said that they considered the neediest homesteads in Bilkeir camp for the items having been secured from the meager resources. He promised to solicit support from humanitarian agencies to render more assistance to vulnerable communities in the IDP camps.