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| A Qatar Charity official distributing food material |
The ‘Qatar Village for IDPs’ (Internally Displaced Persons) project includes the provision of a mosque, a centre for the memorisation of the Holy Qur’an, a health clinic, a primary school, a sports ground, management office and a warehouse to store food, household items and medicine.
Jassim bin Salem, executive director for International Development at Qatar Charity, said the project is a multi-service relief initiative which aims to improve the standard of living of the displaced by providing them with food, water, sanitation, education and health services and shelter.
Prior to the construction of the village, the displaced families were living on the streets and other open places.
Qatar Charity is distributing food, including rice, flour, dates, sugar and cooking oil to the villagers on a monthly basis.
“The pilot village project for the displaced is one of the most important emergency relief projects in Somalia in the present time,” Salem said.
“The project provides housing for families affected by the drought which exposed people to the risk of death due to famine. The people were spread into the streets of Mogadishu, waiting for help. This project aims to bring hope for the displaced and create a favourable atmosphere for them to live in.”
“Before the implementation of this project, the displaced were deprived of their basic essential needs. They now have access to all they need,” Salem added.
He said that apart from offering practical physical help, the project had had a positive impact on the hearts and minds of the beneficiaries as they felt a sense of Islamic brotherhood and the value of solidarity among Muslims.
The beneficiaries expressed their thanks to Qatar Charity for its efforts and stressed that Qatar Charity is a strong source of support for the poor and needy.
