Hirshabelle regional state leader, Ali Abdullahi Hussein Guudlawe, convened an emergency meeting on Thursday to discuss relief efforts for traders and residents affected by the recent fire that devastated the main market in Jowhar, the regional capital.
The meeting, held at the Hirshabelle State headquarters, was attended by Vice President Yusuf Dabageed, Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) Chairman Mohamud Moalim Abdulle, regional ministers, and members of the Jowhar District Council, along with several business people who suffered significant losses in the disaster.
During the meeting, officials from the Ministries of Internal Affairs, Trade, and Relief, along with the Jowhar Business Committee, presented an assessment of the damage and ongoing investigations into the cause of the fire. The fire, which broke out earlier this week at Hantiwadaag market, destroyed vast sections and caused substantial losses, leaving many traders in financial ruin.
Mohamud Abdulle, Chairman of SoDMA, emphasized the agency’s commitment to coordinating a comprehensive relief effort. “Our goal is to gather detailed information about the disaster and work with the federal government, cabinet ministers, and international organizations to provide substantial aid to those affected,” Abdulle said.
President Guudlawe called on the Somali federal government and the Somali Chamber of Commerce to offer immediate support. “The traders and residents who have lost their livelihoods are now homeless and in desperate need of assistance. We are committed to providing immediate relief, but the scale of the disaster requires national and international support,” he said.
The fire in Jowhar’s main market is the latest in a series of challenges for the region, which has been struggling with the compounded effects of ongoing conflict and climate-related shocks. The destruction of the market, a vital economic hub for the town, is expected to have long-lasting impacts on the local economy and the livelihoods of thousands of residents.
The Somali Disaster Management Agency and the Hirshabelle administration are appealing for urgent humanitarian assistance to help those affected to rebuild their lives and businesses.
