Somaliland

Hargeisa:Youth Killed in Land Mine Explosion

January 31, 2011   ·   199177 Commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fsomalilandpress.com%2Fhargeisayouth-killed-in-land-mine-explosion-19917Hargeisa%3AYouth+Killed+in+Land+Mine+Explosion2011-01-31+16%3A19%3A02Mo+Guledhttp%3A%2F%2Fsomalilandpress.com%2F%3Fp%3D19917

HARGEISA(SomalilandPress)–On 27th January 2011 a groud of children were playing football behind Mansoor Hotel in Hargeisa at afternoon time. One of the children tried to take the ball which went out the play – ground and found a device like UXO who showed the rest of his group. A boy forcedly took the device from his team mate and threw it to a wall nearby. The device detonated which caused the death of one child aged 16 years and similarly injured other two more boys also both aged 17 years. The dead was buried while those wounded are taken care at their homes by their families and the reason is that the injuries were minor.

CCBRS community counselors since then begun to provide necessary counseling and support  to the injured survivors and their family members including the family of the dead victim in reducing severe psychological impact and will continue until good recovery is achieved.

If further assistance is obtained by other collaborator, mine – risk education initiative will be commenced by targeting the children and youth who are among the most risk groups. Schoolchildren, school management & teachers, parents will also be educated whose level of awareness and knowledge on prevention of mine and UXO and the related hazards will be promoted focusing to address age – specific risk behaviors.   

The case fatalities and injuries associated with mine and UXO explosions has increased in these days in the country while the high proportion or the majority of the victims are children than adults comparing the data/information recorded for the past two months as this therefore necessitates to embark useful strategic interventions including effective continuing mine – risk education, victim assistance like physical & psychological rehabilitation, ensuring successful social re – integration  of victims (school enrolment) and further assessment of the suspected areas for contamination.    

Reported by: Comprehensive Community Based Rehabilitation in Somaliland (CCBRS)

Farhan Abdi Suleiman (Oday)

Social Worker at Comprehensive CBR in Somaliland

Email: oday1999@yahoo.com

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By Mo Guled

Tags: Land Mine in Somaliland, Somaliland, Somalilandpress, Youth injured in explosion