A US organization named Give to the World donated medical items to the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) serving under African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
The items, which included medicines like anthelmintic, antifungal, antiallergy, antibiotics (oral), anti-acids, laxative and anti-diabetics, vitamins and minerals, analgesics, cough, anti-viral, dermatologicals, and rapid test kits -- were symbolically handed over the UPDF at a Saturday function held at the Sector One headquarters in Mogadishu.
The items are to be distributed to the Internally Displaced People (IDP) camps in KM-50 and were handed over to Sector One anti-aircraft asset commander Col. Ismail Sendagire.
Col Sendagire was also the chief guest, representing the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia Amb Francisco Madeira.
In his remarks, the Chief guest said the donation was in support of the OPD (Out Patient Department) clinics at the AMISOM forward operating base in KM-50, to improve and strengthen health care delivery to members of the IDPs and other vulnerable Somali communities.
Col Sendagire further said that the donation will go a long way to alleviate the problem of having to travel long distances for the IDPs and vulnerable populace to receive health care.
“These medical supplies will be introduced to the local authorities and IDP communities to demonstrate the longstanding and productive assistance AMISOM was able to generate through the partners to assist Somali communities in need,” he said.
Col Sendagire added that the donation reflects the commitment to the partnership between the US, AU with its institutions, and AMISOM.
The Deputy Chief of Civil Military Cooperation Lt Col Cyriaque Bikorimana from Force headquarters, who was representing the AMISOM Force Commander, said the significance of the donation was to win the hearts and minds of the Somali populace.
“AMISOM is not only here to fight Alshabaab but to also extend healthcare services to the Somali population,” said Col Cyriaque in a brief interview by AU/UN media team.
Sector One Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) officer Maj Nicholas Padrille Abiribare said this is not the first time the sector is coordinating such donations with the most recent being on 3rd June 2020, when the Italian army donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the Somali community, which were duly delivered to the intended beneficiaries.
Furthermore, he said that the equipment had an immensely positive effect on the Somali community and they were in turn very grateful.
“I reiterated my commitment to work closely with stakeholders to coordinate more funds and projects to support the Somali communities,” said Maj Abiriballe.
The function was attended by the US civil affairs team, UK and Italian partners, the commanding officer of Level Two Field Hospital Capt Gideon Nuwagira among others.
