Mogadishu: Food Rations For Detainees

Mogadishu: Food Rations For Detainees

Nairobi (ICRC) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has made a symbolic gesture to detainees in Somalia by providing them with food rations to mark the holy month of Ramadan. The rations, containing dates, meat, milk, rice, beans, sugar and tea leaves, were distributed to detainees in Mogadishu, Beledweyne, Baydhabo, Bosaaso, Galkacyo, Garowe and Qardho.

"It's important that people suffering hardship are not forgotten during Ramadan," said one detainee. "We are very happy about this gesture from the ICRC."

In line with its role as a neutral, impartial and independent humanitarian organization, the ICRC visits prisons in south-central Somalia and Puntland to monitor the conditions of detention and the treatment of detainees; it has a particular interest in people who are being held in connection with armed conflict. The ICRC’s findings are communicated to the detaining authorities confidentially. The ICRC also provides direct material assistance whenever required.

"Our visits aim to ensure that detainees are treated with dignity and humanity," explains Hichem Khadhraoui, who coordinates the ICRC’s protection activities in Somalia. "They are an aspect of our mission to protect people during armed conflict. We work with the authorities to prevent abuse and to improve both the treatment of detainees and their conditions of detention."

The ICRC, in close partnership with the Somali Red Crescent Society, responds to the needs of conflict victims in Somalia; these needs are often exacerbated by natural disasters. The ICRC also provides emergency assistance, and long-term support to enable communities to become and remain self-sufficient, promotes and monitors compliance with international humanitarian law, and visits detainees.

ENDS

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