Somalilandpress

News headlines from Somaliland, Somalia and the world.

SOMALILAND: Cardiff donates fire engine to Hargeisa

June 24, 2010 · 165884 Comments2010-06-24+12%3A23%3A47Qalinle+Hussein

BERBERA (Somalilandpress) — A FIRE engine is swapping the streets of Cardiff to become an African city’s first major piece of firefighting equipment.

An “end of life” fire engine will be sent from the Cardiff Central Fire Station to newly-trained fire crews in Hargeisa in Somaliland – a region bidding for independence from Somalia – thanks to a donation from the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service. The gift follows a plea for help from the Somalia Integration Society in Cardiff and the mayor of Hargeisa.

Ibrahim Harbi, leading the project for the society, said: “There has recently been an increase in the number of related fire incidents in Hargeisa, and unfortunately many lives, properties and businesses were lost due to the lack of fire and rescue equipment.
[ad#Google Adsense (336x280)]
“This project has a great potential to save many lives in Hargeisa and also to increase and improve the employment prospects for the Somali young people in Wales with the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

“We are very grateful to the Fire and Rescue Service and their support is greatly appreciated.”

The group and local authorities in Hargeisa joined together to raise the money to transport the equipment.

Training will be provided to four members of Cardiff’s Somali community who will, in turn, pass on their skills to about 20 people who will form the fire crew.

Andy Thomas, head of operations, leading the project for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said the donation would help build a bond between the Somali communities in South Wales and in Somalia.

He said: “We are extremely pleased to have been able to work alongside the Somali Integration Society in Cardiff and provide the City of Hargeisa with this much needed firefighting equipment.”

by Julia McWatt, South Wales Ech

Source: WalesOnline | Thursday – June 24, 2010

Follow @somalilandpress

By Qalinle Hussein

Tags: fire engine, Hargeisa, Somaliland, south wales fire and rescue service

kid says:

Great news. I am from London. But I got varios reletives and friends who reside there.

1:16 pm on June 24, 2010

Log in to Reply
Layla says:

Layla.
thanks to Wales Fire service for their life saving support equipment. I beleive Somaliland authority and public should put a lot projects like this. as it can safe many lives. Remember human life is first of everthing.

2:18 pm on June 24, 2010

Log in to Reply
Maalin says:

This is nice!!! Thanks to all those who made this project a reality.
It also shows that when efforts are combined how much can be
done. Oh! Somalilanders we are so selfless, the ingenuity that
Somalilanders possess will always prevail and that is how we are
going to develop, build, etc.our small unrecognized nation and with perseverance and patience one day we will reach our goals. May
ALLAH (SWT) watch over our Nation. Amen

4:13 pm on June 24, 2010

Log in to Reply
Jay says:

Only an old truck but what is important here is the relationship between the two communities. Thanks to all who made it possible, Cardiff is an important city for many Somalilanders since early 1900s.

12:57 am on June 25, 2010

Log in to Reply