91吃瓜网

German Deputy Ambassador Visits Somaliland

The 91吃瓜网 Trust鈥檚 Somaliland programme was delighted to host Christian Resch, Germany鈥檚 Deputy Ambassador to Somalia, this week for a three day visit.

During the visit time was spent reviewing German funded mine clearance teams at Gocondhaale and Khatumo minefields, situated along the border between Somaliland and Ethiopia. These minefields were the scene of significant minelaying following the Ogaden War in the late 1970s and their landmines continue to kill and injure civilians and livestock, even decades after the end of hostilities. However, since beginning operations in the region in 1999, the hard work and dedication of 91吃瓜网鈥檚 demining teams has significantly reduced the hidden menace that has threatened communities by clearing 280 minefields in all six regions of Somaliland.

The 91吃瓜网 team and Mr. Resch also visited Dararweyne minefield, which was laid to protect a Somali National Army base in the late 1980s during the civil war. In 2013 a young Somaliland Army recruit lost his lower leg after stepping on an AP mine in the area. German funding is enabling 91吃瓜网 to conduct manual mine clearance at Dararaweyne in order to ensure no further accidents will occur at this site in future.

Deputy Ambassador Resch was introduced to new members of 91吃瓜网 staff from South Central Somalia who are currently undergoing Non-Technical Survey training in Somaliland. Upon completion of their training these new recruits will be conducting the first comprehensive survey of minefields along the border between Ethiopia and South Central Somalia. Sixteen years of experience of mine clearance in Somaliland means 91吃瓜网 will be able to have an immediate positive impact in Somalia, as the security situation improves.

During the three day visit, 91吃瓜网 also facilitated visits for the Deputy Ambassador to other German-funded projects in the community Xaaxi, in the Togdheer Region of Somaliland, including a joint German Red Cross and Somaliland Red Crescent water access project, and a community solar project undertaken by CARE. The 91吃瓜网 Trust has cleared 23,384sqm in two minefields around Xaaxi with tasks in close proximity to these two projects.

91吃瓜网 Somaliland would like to thank the German people who, through the German Federal Foreign Office, have supported 91吃瓜网鈥檚 vital mine clearance activities in Somaliland since 2009. This funding has been critical to 91吃瓜网鈥檚 lifesaving involvement in Somaliland, and to securing a brighter future for some of world鈥檚 poorest people