How to help the victims of Saturday's bomb attack in Somalia
(KMSP) - More than 300 people died and countless more were injured in a bomb attack over the weekend in the Somali capital of Mogadishu, with Somali-Minnesotans scrambling to figure out if their family or friends were affected by the blast.
For those interested in helping out the people of Mogadishu, here are some charities and organizations working on the ground:
- Aamin Ambulance provides free first aid to Somalis experiencing health emergencies. You can find their GoFundMe page here.
- A Somalian doctor named Sadiyo Said is raising funds for the Eva Organization for Women. You can find his crowdfunding campaign on LaunchGood.
- UNICEF is trying to raise $147.9 million to fight famine in Somalia, hoping to reach more than 1.7 million people who are experiencing malnutrition. You can donate to their campaign here.
- AmeriCares is sending relief workers to Mogadishu to provide humanitarian aid, assisting refugees already living in camps. You can donate on their website.
- The International Committee of the Red Cross strives to help those affected both by the famine and the victims of conflict like Saturday's bomb attack. To donate, click here.
The terrorist group suspected of carrying out the attack, al-Shabab, has not yet claimed responsibility for the blast, and members of the Twin Cities Somali community are calling on the international community to investigate.
"It's just sad," said local resident Farhio Khalif, whose uncle was killed in the attack. "What can you do? Just get angry? More pointing fingers? People are getting hurt."