Taiwan donates $500K to drought-hit Somaliland

GOOBJOOG NEWS/HARGEISA: The Taiwanese government has donated $500K to Somaliland in order to mitigate the effects of drought.

The Taiwanese Representative to Somaliland Allen C. Lou, today handed the cash to the Somaliland Vice President Abdirahman Abdillahi Ismail Saylici, who also doubles as Chairman of the National Drought Committee.

The Taiwanese government said it took the initiative in order to respond to the urgent humanitarian needs of the Somaliland people caused by severe drought.

Taiwan said it will first send $500K to the Somaliland Government and thereafter, donate 300 tons of Taiwanese rice to mitigate the food shortage.

Taiwan in Somaliland said it was hopeful that more countries and international organizations would step in and support Somaliland as it grapples with the effects of a severe drought.

“We believe love and empathy transcend boundaries. Taiwan’s support is ‘throwing brinks to attract jade’. It is expected that more and more countries and international organizations that Somaliland appealed to will respond with timely support,” said the Taiwanese representative to Somalia.

While appreciating the donation, Somaliland in Taiwan said it was grateful for the kind gesture shown by Taiwan to the Somaliland people.

“We thank Taiwan’s second donation of  physical cash for drought mitigation and relief purposes. Taiwan donated the 150,000 MVC Vaccine roll out money to Somaliland last week,” read the statement.

Since the establishment of representative offices in both cities in 2020, ties between Somaliland and Taiwan have blossomed in recent years, with the latter supporting Somaliland in various fields, including the fight against COVID-19.