Tsunami’s Forgotten Victims

On Saturday January the 8th, the Canadian Friends of Somalia, a non-profit organization based
in Ottawa, hosted a fundraising dinner for the Somali victims of the tsunami in Jim Durrrel arena.

The event was attended by many notable members of our community including the mayor of the city of Ottawa, Bob Chiarelli, the deputy chief of Ottawa police, Larry Hill, Monia Mazigh, Allen Riddle and a host of former city councillors including Alex Munter. Both The Premier of Ontario Dalton McGunty and Jack Layton, the leader of New Democratic Party, sent their regrets in writing.

The urgency of the situation and the lack of international support was the overall theme of the fundraising dinner. The UN has stated several times that the Somali victims of the tsunami have been forgotten by the International community. The situation in Somalia could become dire considering the lack of governmental infrastructure in the region. This why, the international community must act quickly to help the victims in Somalia.

The funds raised at the dinner went to Oxfam-Canada’s Horn of Africa program. Ms. Andrea
Lindores, the coordinator of the horn of Africa program for Oxfam-Canada, spoke about her organisation’s efforts and its commitment to the long-term improvement of the situation in the Horn of Africa, particularly the region affected by the tsunami.

Mr. Farah Aw-Osman, the executive director of Canadian friends of Somalia, was proud of the outpouring of Canadian support that he and hiorganisation received for the fundraising dinner. By the end of the night more then $20,000 was raised.

If you would like to donate to the victims of the tsunami in Somali please send all your donations
to Oxfam-Canada and clearly indicate that it is for Somalia

Muslimlink, January 2005