A large delegation from the United Nations today visited the fire ravaged Waheen market in Hargeisa to inspect damage and familiarize with reconstruction strategies.
The team was led by United Nations Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative and Resident Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Adam Abdelmoula.
According to a report by Wargeyska Dawan the delegation was welcomed at the market by the Deputy Mayor of Hargeisa, his Executive Secretary , and some members of the market recovery Committee who briefed on the post fire reconstruction status .
The Waheen Market which used to accrued over 40% of the Hargeisa city GDP was completely gutted down by a fire on the 1st April that resulted with loss of assorted Wares, foodstuffs, electronics, clothing and furniture worth an estimated $2b, over 2000 SMEs and 5000 employees also lost their source of income.
The Amb Abdelmoula led team also held meetings with the government, the deputy mayor Hargeisa and the Waheen Market recovery committee in Hargeisa where he pledged the short and long term support from the UN.
After the market damage assessment the regional UN Deputy chief informed via his official twitter handle that.
While this is the first UN visit to the fire gutted market the global body has already dispatched a team of technical experts to help reconstruction efforts with environmental, socioeconomic and communications related skills
The UN chief was last in Somaliland late March this year on a two day’s drought impact assessment tour in which he pledged expedited succour to the affected communities.
