By Laala Kashef Alghata

AIN has helped restore the sight of 4,000 people affected by the spread of disease and drought in Somalia.

An outpouring of donations contributed to the Royal Charity Organisation (RCO) initiative to build a specialist hospital and teacher’s college in Mogadishu.

It has also constructed 10 wells and delivered 240 tonnes of food and medical supplies.

However, the charity’s director of operations in Somalia was killed on his way to work last year, highlighting the danger faced by those living and working in the war-torn country.

“[In 2011] there was a severe drought in Somalia,” said RCO secretary-general Dr Mustafa Al Sayed.

“It has displaced a large number of people, in addition to the civil war causing devastation and widespread malnutrition.

“The United Nations issued an urgent appeal for help and His Majesty King Hamad responded.

“He asked RCO to organise a campaign to raise money to help the people of Somalia.

“In one day, we raised $5.2 million.”

It was raised during a day-long telethon appeal on Bahrain TV in August 2011 by RCO board of trustees chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Dr Al Sayed.

Another $8m was raised during the same event to help the people of Gaza.

According to a UN report, almost 260,000 people, half of them children under five, died of hunger during the last famine in Somalia.

RCO members, including Dr Al Sayed, made several trips to Somalia.

“Even staying in a one star hotel in a war-torn city is a luxury,” he said.

“One day, at 4am, I heard machine gun fire breaking out.

“I looked outside and complained to the receptionist, who insisted it was fireworks and told me to go back to bed.

“At another point, I told them that I had no electricity in my room.

“The man replied, ‘wait your turn, you’ll get electricity in about two hours’ time’.”

One of the biggest setbacks facing the RCO was the death of a Somali aid worker who was targeted by rebel fighters. “Our Somali head of operations was killed while he was conducting our project,” said Dr Al Sayed.

“We were working in co-ordination with the Islamic Relief Organisation and he was their employee.

“But it was a reminder that life in Somalia is fraught with tension and the civil war threatened everyone’s lives.”

Somalia has been ravaged by civil war since 1991 and is acknowledged to be one of the world’s most neediest places for aid.

Dr Al Sayed said despite being exposed to various dangers on such trips, he remained committed to humanitarian causes.

“During the trip, we came across a small hospital that was packed with people wanting funds to get eye surgeries.

“We found out that it cost just $60 per operation.”

Dr Al Sayed said he contacted RCO board of trustees chairman Shaikh Nasser, who agreed that they would bear costs for 4,000 people.

“The hospital where we carried out the operations changed their name to the Bahrain Ophthalmology and Eye Surgery Centre,” he said.

The 10 wells built in villages have benefited tens of thousands and continue to provide much-needed relief.

“We were one of the first countries in Somalia after the drought, trying to help and make a difference,” said Dr Al Sayed.

“I believe we were the first country to build something in Somalia in 20 years, due to the civil war issues.”

He said the specialist hospital will open within three months and the teachers college will be completed in a year.

laala@gdn.com.bh

Source: Gulf Daily News