Mogadishu (ICRC) – As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is launching its annual Ramadan assistance aimed to reach nearly 5,000 detainees across 16 places of detention across the country.

“Ramadan is a sacred time of reflection, compassion and community for Muslims worldwide and can be particularly challenging for those deprived of their freedom,” said Antoine Grand, the head of the ICRC in Somalia. “Supporting detainees during this period has become an annual tradition for the ICRC in Somalia and in many other countries — a gesture to ensure they do not feel left out.”

Over the next four weeks, the ICRC will distribute food to 16 places of detention. Each detainee will receive a package containing dates, milk powder, groundnuts, and biscuits while the detention facilities’ kitchens will be provided with sugar, tea leaves, lentils, tomato paste and vegetable oil. Additionally, the ICRC will distribute 512 goats across the locations. These items are a symbolic supplement to existing rations provided by detaining authorities.

Visiting detainees is a fundamental part of the ICRC’s work in Somalia and around the world. The organization has been carrying out visits to places of detention in Somalia since 1977. These visits ensure that the conditions of detention and treatment of detainees comply with Somali law and international standards. Last year, the ICRC conducted 51 visits across 16 places of detention. Health structures located in five places of detention were also supported by the ICRC with essential medicines and materials. The ICRC also conducted rehabilitation work in three places of detention.

For further information, please contact:

Abdikarim Mohamed, ICRC Nairobi, + 254 770 171 756 (English & Somali)

Fadumo Ali Jama, ICRC Mogadishu, +252 611 006 330 (English & Somali)

Email somaliablog@icrc.org or visit our website: www.icrc.org

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