To mark the start of the Holy Month of Ramadan, DP World Berbera is organising its largest ever distribution of food baskets across Somaliland, that will reach 9,000 families. Far exceeding the scale of previous years, DP World Berbera is going above and beyond to make sure the baskets reach families all over the country. The distribution has started and is expected to take around ten days to complete. His Excellency the President of Somaliland, Muse Bihi Abdi, has nominated Faisal Ali, Chairman of the National Drought Committee, to coordinate with the management and staff of DP World Berbera in their logistical and distribution plans.

From Cerigabo in the east of the country to Borama in the west, the food baskets are currently being distributed to families across all the major population centres of Somaliland, including Lasanod, Caynabo, Burco, Gabiley, Saylac, Berbera and the capital Hargeisa.

DP World Berbera CEO, Supachai Wattanaveerachai, said: “At DP World we have been working tirelessly over the past weeks, in close cooperation with our headquarters in Dubai, to support Somaliland in the face of the global onslaught from COVID-19. We have provided emergency ventilators, protective equipment for medical staff, critical pharmaceuticals and essential testing kits. Furthermore, by carefully protecting our own staff, we also made sure that essential goods can flow freely through the port at all times and can be delivered reliably and promptly, wherever they are needed.”

The food baskets are for consumption after dusk at special family “Iftar” meals. The baskets include dates, traditionally used to break the fast.

CEO Wattanaveerachai continued: “In line with our community engagement at DP World, this special initiative with food baskets during the Holy Month allows us to reach out right across Somaliland, far beyond our local community in Berbera. All our communities in Somaliland deserve constant support, as they are all playing a key role in the country’s development. The current health crisis is a particularly challenging time, and the precautionary measures required have led us to this year’s massive Ramadan basket distribution efforts. Ramadan allows us all a chance to reconnect with our closest family members to break our fast together, while maintaining strict social distancing measures, and to reflect on those who are perhaps less fortunate than ourselves.”