Taipei (SLpost)- Taiwan government and NGOs have donated US$550,000 and a container of humanitarian supplies to help those affected by the Waaheen Market fire in Somaliland’s capital, Hargesia.
On behalf of the Taiwanese government and two Taiwanese NGOs, the Taipei ambassador to Hargeisa Allen Lou handed the money and container of aid to Somaliland’s National Relief and Support committee for the Waaheen Market fire on Sunday.
World Taiwan Foundation NGO which is based in New York City, raised US$50,000 upon learning about the tragic blaze, while California-based Simply Help Foundation provided the container of aid to Somaliland’s National Relief and Support Committee to the Victims of Waaheen Market, according to Taiwan’s representative office in Somaliland.
Taiwan’s actions to help the East African nation demonstrate that “a friend in need is a friend indeed,” the representative office said, adding that “empathy and love transcend boundaries.”
More countries and global organizations will also come forward to help Somaliland, as declared by the Taiwanese envoy to Somaliland.
A massive fire tore through the main market in the city of Hargeisa on April 1st injuring about 28 people and destroying hundreds of businesses.
The massive fire caused approximately US$2 billion in property damage, as provided by the National Relief and support Committee for Waaheen disaster victims.
The cause of the blaze that gutted the sprawling Waheen market, which is estimated about half of the capital’s economy and home to more than 2,000 shops and stalls, is not yet known.
