For families in Hargeisa, Somaliland, the COVID-19 pandemic is a terrifying threat. There are just two ambulances for a population of 1.2 million and only one treatment centre for coronavirus.
HALO has worked in Somaliland for over 20 years and has strong links both with local communities and the national authorities. There is little outside aid and very few international charities are currently on the ground so we are using all our skills and resources to protect those who might otherwise be forgotten.
We have set up a triage facility to ensure the sick can be screened safely and efficiently. Our ambulances have been deployed to transport COVID-19 patients to hospital and we have trained our drivers in infection control so they can work safely. The medics treating coronavirus patients had no protective visors so we have repurposed old safety equipment as PPE for doctors and nurses.
We will continue to work with local hospitals and the government to protect the vulnerable. With your support we can ensure the people of Somaliland do not face the pandemic alone.