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Residents of Hobyo, Somalia, say drifting sandstorms are burying their homes, schools and shops and threatening the existence of the coastal town. Abdulkadir Zubeyr and Abdulaziz Osman have this story, narrated by Salem Solomon.
Content TypePackage
LanguageEnglish
Transcript/ScriptSOMALIA SANDSTORM COASTAL TOWN
HEADLINE: Sandstorms Swallowing Somali Coastal Town
TEASER: Officials say deforestation is a key factor, along with drought
PUBLISHED AT:
BYLINE: Abdulkadir Zubeyr, Abdulaziz Osman
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: HOBYO, SOMALIA/WASHINGTON
VIDEOGRAPHER: Abdulkadir Zubeyr
VIDEO EDITOR: Salem Solomon
ASSIGNING EDITOR: Abdulaziz Osman
SCRIPT EDITORS: Reifenrath, Megan Duzor
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV X RADIO X
TYPE: TVPKG//RADIO
TRT: 2:56
APPROVING EDITOR: KE
EDITOR NOTES:
((INTRO))
[[Residents of Hobyo, Somalia, say drifting sandstorms are burying their homes, schools and shops and threatening the existence of the coastal town. Abdulkadir Zubeyr and Abdulaziz Osman have this story, narrated by Salem Solomon.]]
((NARRATION))
Residents of Hobyo, Somalia, say sandstorms are swallowing parts of their town, making it disappear before their eyes.
Osman Ahmed Abdulle, the mayor of the town of about 11,000 people, says the sandstorms are driven by climate change, but deforestation and drought also play a role.
((Osman Ahmed Abdulle, Hobyo Mayor)) ((Male, in Somali))
“You are looking at how the main road coming from Galkayo [third-largest city in Somalia] is closed. A lot of drifting sand is coming from there. There are many neighborhoods that have been buried here by the sandstorm. There are many houses that have been buried here. You are looking at that house as an example.”
((NARRATION))
In the north-central Mudug region of Somalia, Hobyo was once a center for piracy that spiked in 2009 and 2010. However, in recent years, Hobyo has become one of the most climate-vulnerable towns in Somalia, and many people have been displaced.
Hobyo resident Ali Adan Abdulle says the sand buried homes, shops and schools and forced people to move.
((Ali Adan Abdulle, Hobyo Resident)) ((Male, in Somali))
“Half of the population had already fled as the sandstorm spread everywhere in the town. Now, the sand is reaching the walls of the main hospital and the state house, and both could be buried if it is not stopped.”
((NARRATION))
The sandstorms in Hobyo and the recurring droughts serve as stark reminders of the urgent need to address the effects of climate change and protect vulnerable communities, advocates say.
During a visit to Somalia in April, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres acknowledged the disproportionate impact of climate change on the Somali people.
((Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General)) ((Male, in English))
“Although Somalia makes virtually no contribution to climate change, the Somalis are among the greatest victims. Nearly five million people are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, and of course rising prices make matters worse.”
((NARATION))
To combat climate change, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud launched a $10 million initiative last month.
However, Abdulle, the mayor of Hobyo, says that urgent action is needed and his town cannot wait for long-term initiatives to take effect. He specifically called on people from Hobyo living abroad to return or contribute to saving the town.
((Osman Ahmed Abdulle, Hobyo Mayor)) ((Male, in Somali))
“Anyone who can bring us ideas, can support us financially, should take part in saving the environment. Anyone who can build houses is welcome, because more houses will reduce the drifting sand. So, the people of Hobyo are welcome to come back.”
((NARATION))
Somalia's president launched an initiative called “Regreening Somalia” in October 2022, with the aim of expediting reforestation efforts and combating desertification. Somalia’s government has also set the ambitious goal of achieving 30% forest cover by 2030 through agroforestry and sustainable land management.
((For Abdulkadir Zub
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
in Hobyo, Somalia
Embargo DateAugust 15, 2023 23:11 EDT
Byline
Abdulkadir Zubeyr and Abdulaziz Osman, VOA News
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
