August 12, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Police find ID on suspect linked to terror

11 Aug -Source: Standard Media – 127 words

Police are puzzling over how a senior Al-Shabaab commander, Hassan Hanafi Haji, who was arrested in Nairobi, was found with a Kenyan identity card. An ID that he was allegedly found with showed he is Yusuf Hassan and was born in Mandera County, officials handling the case revealed. “We do not know if it is genuine and that is what we are still investigating. The picture on the ID almost resembles him as much as it is showing some scars,” said a senior official who did not want to be quoted. Another official said he may have obtained the document to help him move around because of the ongoing crackdown on illegal immigrants in Eastleigh. Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo declined to comment on the matter.

Key Headlines

Somali government congratulates Erdogan for the win (Somali Current/Radio Mogadishu)
Puntland president visits Bosaso (Puntland TV/Radio Goobjoog)
Donors again urged to prevent humanitarian disaster in Somalia (AFP)
Severe drought and water shortage reported in parts of Hiran region (Bar-kulan)
Police find ID on suspect linked to terror (Standard Media)
Horn of Africa: Declining food security (International Committee of the Red Cross)
Galmudug administration open new health centers in Hobyo and nearby areas (Radio Goobjoog)

PRESS STATEMENT

The Secretary-General’s Message for International Youth Day

11 Aug – Source: UNSOM -380 words

A new publication from the United Nations shows that 20 per cent of the world’s young people experience a mental health condition each year. The risks are especially great as they transition from childhood to adulthood.

Stigma and shame often compound the problem, preventing them from seeking the support they need. For this year’s observance of International Youth Day, the United Nations wants to help lift the veil that keeps young people locked in a chamber of isolation and silence.

The barriers can be overwhelming, particularly in countries where the issue of mental health is ignored and there is a lack of investment in mental health services. Too often, owing to neglect and irrational fear, persons with mental health conditions are marginalized not only from having a role in the design and implementation of development policies and programmes but even from basic care. This leaves them more vulnerable to poverty, violence and social exclusion, and has a negative impact on society as a whole.

Young people who are already considered vulnerable, such as homeless youth, those involved in the juvenile justice system, orphaned youth and those having experienced conflict situations, are often more susceptible to stigma and other barriers, leaving them even more adrift when they are most in need of support. Let us remember that with understanding and assistance, these young people can flourish, making valuable contributions to our collective future.

We have just about 500 days to reach the Millennium Development Goals. We must support all young people, especially those who are vulnerable, to succeed in this historic campaign. Wide-ranging efforts at all levels are needed to raise awareness about the importance of investing in and supporting young people with mental health conditions. Increased education is crucial in reducing stigma and in changing how we talk about and perceive mental health.

Mental health is how we feel; it is our emotions and well-being. We all need to take care of our mental health so that we lead satisfying lives. Let us begin to talk about our mental-health in the same way we talk about our overall health. As we mark International Youth Day 2014, let us enable youth with mental health conditions to realize their full potential, and let us show that mental health matters to us all.

SOMALI MEDIA

Somali government congratulates Erdogan for the win

11 Aug – Source: Somali Current/Radio Mogadishu – 106 words

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and the Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed have congratulated the newly elected Turkish President and former Prime Minister Reccep Tayyip Erdogan. President Mohamud described Erdogan’s win as the first direct presidential election historic and important for Turkish politics and people as well. “I congratulate the outgoing Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his election as the new President of Turkey. This is an historic vote and we know how important this vote is for Turkish politics and our friends, the Turkish people.” He said. He said Somali government look forward to working with President Erdogan and the Turkish people.

Puntland president visits Bosaso

11 Aug – Source: Puntland TV/Radio Goobjoog – 90 words

The President of Semi Autonomous Regional State of Puntland Abdiweli Mohamed ali Gaas and delegates reached Bosaso, the headquarters of Bari region. President Gaas and his delegation supervised Bosaso international airport, Bosaso port and the base of Puntland marine forces. On the other hand president Gaas took special meeting with UAE ambassador to Somalia in Bosaso. The two officials discussed wide range issues and signed agreement that allows United Arab Emirates to invest in Puntland regions. Recently Puntland president said his administration will welcome anyone willing to invest in Puntland.

Severe drought and water shortage reported in parts of Hiran region

11 Aug – Source: Bar-kulan – 100 words

Local administration of Bulo-burte district in Hiiran region has today stated that there is a severe drought in Bulo-burte and its environs which affected both the people and their livestock. Bulo-burte district commissioner Abdi Wehliye who spoke to Bar-kulan believes fewer rainfalls during the seasonal Gu’ rains in the country are likely to blame for the drought. He called on the federal government and Hiran regional administration to open major roads that connect Bulo-burte to other parts of the region previously blocked by al Shabaab militants to enable the flow of humanitarian aid to most affected areas in the region.

Galmudug administration open new health centers in Hobyo and nearby areas

11 Aug – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 122 words

Delegates led by Galmudug Health Minister Ahmed Sharif Mohamud reached areas under the control of Galmudug administration in Central Somalia. The delegates assessed the health standards of the people in Hobyo district and Calbalo locality. the Minister for Health was accompanied by Galmudug ports minister and senior directors of Galmudug regional state. The delegates by the Health Minister with the help of Mercy USA managed to open health centers and MCH’s where residents can get free medical checkup as our correspondent in Mudug region Bile Mohamud reports. After the assessment the minister said the standard of the locals in the areas they supervised is quite well and fit adding the administration is putting more efforts to promote socials services in the region.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Police find ID on suspect linked to terror

11 Aug -Source: Standard Media – 127 words

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Donors again urged to prevent humanitarian disaster in Somalia

11 Aug – Source: AFP – 217 words

The UN human rights expert appealed to the international community to act swiftly to avert a looming humanitarian disaster in Somalia and donors to release famine relief funds. Independent Expert on the situation of Human Rights in Somalia Bahame Tom Nyanduga said the food shortage situation in Somalia is deteriorating rapidly. “An ongoing conflict, the lower than usual rains in the agricultural parts of the country, the hiking of food prices, and the limited access by humanitarian agencies to deliver much needed assistance in some parts of the country due to the conflict, are pushing Somalia closer to an impending worrisome food insecurity and malnutrition situation,” he said in a statement received in Nairobi. “I call on the donor community, and the public and private sector to urgently heed the multiple early warnings by the international community and address pressing humanitarian needs.”The latest assessments from the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) warn that the food crisis in Somalia will deteriorate in the coming months, with drought conditions already observed in parts of the country due to a poor rainy season.

Horn of Africa: Declining food security

11 Aug – Source: International Committee of the Red Cross – 3:29 min

The food security situation is deteriorating in South Sudan and Somalia. Mathias Frese, head of relief for the ICRC in Eastern Africa, takes stock of the factors that have led to too many people suffering from lack of food. He describes what the ICRC, with our partners the South Sudan Red Cross and Somalia Red Crescent, is doing to help.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“This is the seventh article in a 10-part series about true stories of Somali men and women and their very blunt assessment of their relationships. The names and locations of the individuals have been changed to ensure their privacy”.

Courtship and marriage: the Somali experience in America (part 7)

11 Aug – Source: Wardheer News – 1526 words

I have been single for a few years. I was once married with children. My marriage became stale and I decided to leave my wife of 14 years. Okay, I was actually dumped by my ex-wife after I stopped being a provider. I stopped working and became depressed. My father had died in Somalia, and I was too broke to go there and visit my relatives after such a tragic loss. My wife got tired of me because I stopped communicating with her and paying the household bills. I did not go out and look for employment. One fateful day, she asked me to pack and leave our house. By then, I was ready to move on and embark on single life. My family had become a financial burden, and I couldn’t wait to be relieved from such an onerous weight. I gingerly carried my luggage to my car and left our compound without anyone noticing my departure. There were no cameras to capture the humiliating experience of being kicked out of my home.