WAHEEN MARKET FIRE IN SOMALILAND

April 9, 2022

Somaliland Canadian Congress

On April 1, 2022, on the eve of the blessed of Ramadan, a massive inferno destroyed the main market in the city of Hargeisa in Somaliland. Early official eports indicated about two dozen injured people and hundreds of businesses completed ravaged.

Almost instantaneously and in an exemplary show of solidarity, the Canadian-Somaliland diaspora undertook some grassroots efforts in Ottawa, Toronto and other Canadian cities to help with the reconstruction of the Central Market in Hargeisa following the unfortunate blaze.

SCC’s Twitter account (@SLCanCongress) has been very active on the subject and was first to call the Canadian officials to action. In addition, with coordination being one of the three pillars of its mission statement, SCC did not manage its efforts to contribute to the emergency response by rallying with local community leaders to act quickly.

Furthermore, SCC took the initiative to engage with federal MP Chandra Arya to request the Canadian government’s emergency assistance to Somaliland in the face of this emerging crisis that destroyed the economic hub of the country.

On April 8, 2022, MP Arya rose in the House of Commons and made the following statement on Waheen market fire in Somaliland:

“Mr. Speaker, It is with great sadness, I speak about a major fire last week in Somaliland which destroyed the Waheen market in Hargeisa. With several thousand businesses destroyed, Hargeisa chamber of commerce chairman Jamal Aideed said this market accounted for 40 to 50 percent of the city's economy. Thousands of people have lost their livelihood, and this is more painful as it happened in this holy month of Ramadhan. This disaster is on the top of drought, famine, and food insecurity already in Somaliland. I call on Canada to take all steps immediately to help Somaliland and provide much needed funding support. I would like to recognize Somaliland Canadian Congress and Canadian Alliance to Rebuild Hargeisa Market for their hard work in advocating and mobilizing the required support. Thank you Mr. Speaker.” MP Chandra Arya, Nepean, ON