By: Osman A.M.
HARGEISA: The Vice President of the Republic of Somaliland Hon. Abdirahman Abdullahi Zeylii has officially unveiled newly constructed housing units meant for accommodating the internally displaced persons (IDP’s) around the periphery of Hargeisa city.
The V-P was flanked by high ranking Government dignitaries including the minister for Resettlement Rehabilitation & Reconstruction (RRR) Hon. Ahmed Abdi Kahin, the minister for Justice & Judicial Affairs Hon. Hussein Ahmed Aideed, the mayor of Hargeisa Hon. Abdirahman Mohamud Aideed as well as other senior State officials.
The newly constructed housing units for accommodating the 829 families can only shelter 700 families while the remaining households will have to wait for six more months to get roofing over their heads courtesy of a joint funded project by the local authority of Hargeisa Municipality, UN agencies tasked with IDP’s & refugees matters (UNHCR, UN-HATAT, IOM) together with local organizations operating in the city & its environs.
The IDP’s shelters are situated at the Southern periphery of Mohamed Mooge estate in Hargeisa and will house the displaced against cold & strong wind experienced currently to 700 out of a total of 829 families; the remaining being settled in a half an year’s time from now.
The V-P Hon. Zeilii while handing the housing units to the IDP’s families thanked the officials of the ministry of RRR and Hargeisa Municipal Council for their vigorous dedication & hard work that ultimately resettled the displaced families.
The minister for RRR Hon. Ahmed Abdi Kahin also speaking from the same venue narrated how the journey for resettlement started, the challenges encountered and its ultimate finalization. The minister also revealed that the remaining households to be settled in the next six months.
Speaking from the same podium the mayor of Hargeisa Municipality Hon. Aideed highly praised the significance of the housing units to the IDP’s families.
Senior staffers working for international organization dealing with refugees & IDP’s matters also spoke candidly on their diverse roles in the project till its completion.
