Somali people around the world recorded 62 years of independence on Friday, but there was little joy in the future darkened by drought, food shortages and inflation, and there were many concerns. ..
The July 1st holiday commemorates the day Somalia declared independence from British and Italian colonists 62 years ago.
For over 30 years, Somalia has marked this day under the threat of chaos and violence, but this year it is different. As a result of the severe drought that is already becoming famine, the fear of an upcoming catastrophe in some areas has obscured the memorial.
According to the Somali Special Envoy for Humanitarian Affairs, more than 6 million Somali people, almost half of the country's population, have been affected by the record drought.
On Thursday, the day before Independence Day, Drought said, "Drought has hit 72 of 84 districts of Somalia, six of which are already facing famine-like situations and are extreme. I had food insecurity. "
Doctors at hospitals in some areas of southern and central Somalia report that children have died as a result of this situation.
Somalia has suffered the worst drought in 40 years, and the United Nations and other international aid agencies last month starved 330,000 children in Somalia. He sounded a warning because he warned that he was in danger of dying.
At a small Independence Ceremony held at Mogadishu City Hall on Friday, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohammad expressed greater concern for the country.
"We have reduced national celebrations of Independence Anniversary to minimize costs and divert available funds to drought response and lifesaving," Mohammad said. Says.
Mohammad, elected in May, spoke to Somali citizens and the international community, calling for immediate action to save lives.
Somalia was created in 1960 from a former British protectorate and an Italian colony, but collapsed into anarchy after the collapse of President Siadbare's junta in 1991.
Almost 30 years of civil war, fierce battles between clan warlords, anarchy, and terrorism have torn the country into clan-based territories and rural areas dominated by extremist militants.
However, a new dawn of hope was formed in 2000, and the central government, backed by the international community, was established to claim control of the lawless zone. Since then, the country has been heading towards stability, despite facing serious challenges from al-Shabaab militants who have allied with al-Qaeda.
In humanitarian challenges since 2011, the country has undergone a catastrophic cycle of deadly drought and mass evacuation, including those that began earlier. I have been working on it. this year.
However, unlike previous hunger disasters, this is exacerbated by a combination of factors such as Russia's infestation of Ukraine, the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, and the spread of locusts.
Meanwhile, the Somali diaspora community is also celebrating this day, paying attention and showing joy. In Minneapolis, Minnesota, the most populous Somalis in the United States, the community celebrates its original country's birthday with a small parade and other events on Friday.
Similar events were held in Toronto, London, Nairobi, and several cities in Europe as an opportunity to not only celebrate, but also remind and raise money for the country's dire situation. ..
