Somaliland expresses discontent over WHO report on destroying hospitals in Las’Anod

Hargeysa(Mogadishu24)-The Break-away Republic of Somaliland has expressed its dissatisfaction with the recent report issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday regarding the devastating impact of the war on health centers in Las’Anod.

The Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement asserting that the Somaliland forces are diligently safeguarding the land and its people from terrorists and sectarian militias, making considerable efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of the populace.

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“We have made every effort to protect human lives and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and healthcare facilities. For many years, the government has worked to construct and support the development of these facilities in Las’anod and has provided extensive medical care to the people of the region,” the statement highlighted.

Furthermore, the Ministry stated that Somaliland has been actively involved in delivering humanitarian aid to those displaced by the conflict, emphasizing the need for the WHO to collaborate with the government of Somaliland.

“We encourage the WHO to work with our government to ensure that civilians impacted by the ongoing violence are able to access the medical services they require”,the statement reads.

Since February 6th, 2023, Las’Anod town has been witnessing intensified conflicts between the Somaliland army and SSC soldiers. The Somaliland army has been involved in attacking the town with mortar shells and artillery bombs, resulting in the loss of innocent lives and the destruction of homes, hospitals, and schools.

In response to the attacks, the World Health Organization condemned on Thursday that attacks targeting certain health centers in Lasanood have significantly disrupted health services.