On April 01st, 2022, the Waheen Market in Hargeisa, Somaliland, was engulfed in flames. The fire destroyed dozens of shops, kiosks, and warehouses, leaving many traders and their families without a source of income. One year later, the scars of the fire remain, but the city and its people are slowly rebuilding and learning from the disaster.
Causes of the Fire
The exact cause of the Waaheen Market fire is still unknown, but it is believed to have started in one of the shops and quickly spread due to the following factors:
What’s Now Happening
In the aftermath of the fire, the Somaliland government and international aid organizations provided emergency relief to the affected traders and their families. The government also launched an investigation into the causes of the fire and pledged to improve the fire safety standards in the markets and public places. Within the DANWADAAG programme, VNG International has taken a significant step towards strengthening the social contract through transparent Disaster Risk Management. In 2022, VNG International has extended its support to the Hargeisa Municipality in Somaliland, by assisting them in the establishment of a Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Unit. This unit will be responsible for managing all disaster and risk-related matters in the districts and has the following responsibilities:
VNG International takes great pride in its partnership with the local governments of Hargeisa and Burao and is thrilled to be part of their journey towards creating a DRM unit for the first time. The establishment of this unit is a crucial step towards ensuring the safety and well-being of the citizens of Hargeisa and Burao, and it will go a long way in mitigating the risks of natural disasters and other emergencies.
Lessons to be Learned
The Waaheen Market fire serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to improve the resilience of cities and communities to natural and man-made disasters. Some lessons that can be learnt from the fire are:
These lessons will be considered within the newly established DRM Units, which hopefully should avoid similar disasters in the future.