Hundreds of displaced families fleeing violence in the western regions of Somalia have been pouring into the central town of Beletweyne. The IDPs, who are mostly women and children, have fled from Hiran’s Bulo Barte district, and Mahas and Bakol region, where the Somali national armed forces and African Union peacekeepers have recently fought against the militant group Al-Shabaab.
About 30 displaced families have been arriving in Hiran each week since the Somali troops and AMISOM launched a wide-scale offensive against Al-Shabaab last month. Radio Ergo’s local reporter said the new arrivals are joining an exodus of people from five existing camps on the outskirts of Beletweyne, where resources and land are stretched beyond the limit.
There are a number of pregnant women among the displaced, and some women have given birth since arriving in the new camp in town.
Leyla Abdinur, a divorced single mother of seven children, gave birth to her eighth child in the Daryel camp just two days after she arrived. Her mother Khadijo Kulmiye, who fled with her from Bulo barde town, about 110 km to the south, helped her to deliver the baby because there were no medical staff around the camp.
“My baby girl is healthy,” Abdinur told Radio Ergo inside her makeshift house. “There are no vaccinations, drugs or food available for us,” she added. She said her baby is surviving on breastfeeding, but she could only get water to drink.
Ismahan Abdirisaq walked with her eight children about 90 kms to reach Tiyiglow district from Hudur, where they got a ride on a vehicle to Beletweyne. She had hoped for services but found nothing. “We need shelter, food, water and treatment. There is nothing at all here,” Abdirisaq told Radio Ergo’s local reporter.
Muhyadin Ahmed Roble
