Canada's NDP

NDP

April 29th, 2022

Letter to Minister Sajjan

Calling for Humanitarian Aid for Somaliland

The Honourable Harjit Sajjan, PC, MP
Minister of International Development
Global Affairs Canada
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa ON K1A 0G2
Lester B. Pearson Building, Tower A

April 29, 2022

Dear Minister Sajjan,

I am writing to you regarding the devasting market fire in Somaliland and the urgent need for assistance.

The recent market fire in Somaliland’s Waaheen market located in Hargeisa has wiped out 40 to 50 percent of the country’s GDP. Nearly 5,000 small businesses were impacted, with damages estimated at $2 billion.

Somaliland has launched an international appeal for $2 billion to urgently receive humanitarian support. The impacts of this fire coupled with COVID-19 are brutal.

I’ve heard from members of the Somali community who are concerned about the long-term impacts of this fire on family and friends.

The Canadian Alliance to Rebuild Hargeisa Market (CARHM) is requesting that Canada join the growing list of countries supporting the reconstruction of Waheen market in Hargeisa, Somaliland. Specifically, the community is asking that the Government of Canada allocate $10 million as emergency relief financial aid towards the reconstruction efforts, and match any funds raised by various community groups across Canada.

I call on the Government of Canada to deliver the necessary supports needed in Somaliland to prevent the country from collapsing into a greater crisis.

Sincerely,

Heather McPherson, MP
Edmonton Strathcona