Somaliland President pledges $1m government aid in response to Hargeisa fire

GOOBJOOG NEWS/HARGEISA: Somaliland President Muse Abdi Bihi has made an inspection tour to Waheen Market in Hargeisa after a massive inferno swept through the market, razing down property worth millions and injuring civilians, in the worst blaze ever seen in the capital in recent years.

The Somaliland President confirmed that 28 people, nine of them women, were injured in the blaze and were taken to the city’s main hospital for treatment, noting that the injuries were not serious.

Concerted efforts by thousands of residents, government troops and local authorities have managed to control the blaze which raged through Saturday morning, forcing the Mayor of Hargeisa Abdikarim Ahmed Moge, to impose a curfew on the market last night, as the crowd hampered the process of putting out the fire.

Somalia’s President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, his Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble and Somali leaders said they were grieving with the people of Somaliland who lost their property in the Waaheen Market fire 

The Ethiopian Prime Minister also condoled with the people of Hargeisa for losing their source of livelihood, saying that his country stood with them at this difficult time.

“I am shocked and saddened by the fire that broke out in the Central Market in Hargeisa, which caused extensive damage to public property. The losses are incalculable at this time,” said the Ethiopian Prime.

 “We share the grief of the people of Somaliland,” added Ahmed.

Finally, President Bihi, who had also visited the scene last night, said today that his government would allocate $1 million to cater for the damages caused by the fire and provide relief to the victims.

Below are pictures during and aftermath of the fire in Hargeisa.