Baledweyne (KAAB TV) — A major scandal has erupted in Moqokori district, Hiran region, following the delivery of what was presented as urgent medical aid by the chairman of the Somali National Disaster Management Agency (SODMA), Mohamud Macalin Abdulle.
During a ceremony marking the handover of the aid, Chairman Abdulle declared that the shipment, which arrived by air and contained dozens of cartons, was filled with high-quality medical supplies intended to support the Mawisleyda militia fighting Al-Shabaab.
“I have brought you high-quality medicine intended for immediate relief, enough to last three months, to treat the wounds of our defense forces battling Al-Shabaab,” Abdulle said during the event.
However, shortly after the aid was unpacked, it was revealed that the contents were not battlefield medicine as promised, but primarily COVID-19 protective gear and outdated supplies. Among the items reportedly found were expired IV fluids, syrups close to expiration, and personal protective equipment (PPE) meant for COVID-19 prevention.
“Entire planes were rented to deliver just a few cartons of IV fluids and expired COVID-19 gear. This is unacceptable. People are bleeding on the front lines, and the government sends expired COVID equipment and only 24 IVs with barely three months of shelf life left,” said Director Macalin Dhicisow.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage on Somali social media, with many expressing disbelief and frustration over the mismanagement and apparent deception. As of now, SODMA has not issued any official statement in response to the growing controversy.