Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 13th June. UN Mine Action Service on Monday Said that greater efforts are needed to protect civilians in Somalia from unexploded ordinance of war after a recent deadly incident in the south of Somalia.
UNMAS issued a statement stating it was “deeply saddened and profoundly alarmed” by the deaths of 27 civilians, including 22 children, in a “tragic incident” involving unexploded ordnance that occurred on Friday in the Lower Shabelle region.
UNMAS said 53 people were injured.
Justin Smith, the agency’s chief in Somalia said “UNMAS expresses its sincere condolences to the families affected by this devastating event and shares in their grief and pain during this incredibly difficult time.”
“The loss of innocent lives, especially children, is an immense tragedy that underscores the urgent need for heightened efforts to address the dangers posed by explosive ordnance in Somalia,” he added.
UNMAS was established in 1997 and its work goes beyond removing landmines from the ground in countries affected by armed conflict.
According to UNMAS website, actions address the problem of UXO, which are weapons such as bombs, mortars, grenades and missiles that failed to detonate. In many countries they pose an even greater threat to safety than landmines.
UNMAS said the incident in Lower Shabelle is a reminder of the ongoing threat faced by civilians, particularly children, in conflict-affected areas, and highlights the critical importance of swift and decisive action to mitigate the risks associated with explosive remnants of war.
UNMAS and its partners have renewed commitment to work with the Government of Somalia, international organizations, and relevant stakeholders to strengthen mine action efforts.
Mr. Smith said “Together, we must intensify our collective efforts to eliminate the risks posed by explosive ordnance and safeguard the lives of vulnerable individuals, particularly children.”
The UN has been engaged in advancing peace and security in Somalia since 1991, where African Union peacekeepers support national forces in their ongoing battle against Al-Shabaab militants.
It noted a deadly attack on a hotel in Mogadishu, which left 16 people dead, including a staff member of the WHO.
Malik Mamunur, WHO representative in Somalia said “We condemn all attacks on innocent civilians and humanitarian aid workers and express our deepest condolences to the family members of all those who were killed in this attack.”
WHO condemned the deadly attack on the Pearl Beach Hotel and Restaurant in Mogadishu that left 16 dead, including a staff member.
The agency reported that the attack left 10 people injured at the beachside hotel in Somalia’s capital
Media reports indicated that the incident took place over several hours and involved armed perpetrators.
He said that WHO is committed to preserve health and respond to emergencies in Somalia, and affirms that the safety and security of its staff is a paramount factor in ensuring ongoing life-saving response operations.
Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean said “We are appalled by the tragic loss of life in this senseless attack, including the death of Nasra Hassan, a WHO national female staff member,”
“We condemn in the strongest terms this heinous attack on a hotel that claimed so many lives, including the precious life of one of our dearest colleague,” he said.
He noted that Ms. Hassan, 27 had joined the WHO country office in Somalia to support the drought emergency response operations in Jubaland.
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