10 Somali refugees fall prey to starvation, COVID-19 in 2 weeks

KAMPALA, Uganda

At least 10 Somali refugees have died from starvation and COVID-19 in the last two weeks because they could not get help from Uganda's government or their fellow nationals due to a lockdown, a community group said Monday.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Khalis Muhammad, vice chairman of the Somali Community Association in Uganda, said some of the refugees died from hunger while others succumbed to the virus.

Muhammad said: “We cannot reach out to those in need due to the COVID-19 lockdown. The refugees are scattered in the suburbs of (the capital) Kampala.”

He said there are a few well-off Somali nationals doing business in Kampala, but they cannot reach vulnerable people due to the restrictions.

On June 6, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni announced a total lockdown due to rising infections in the East African country.

According to the Health Ministry, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases in the country has reached 87,277, with 2,104 deaths and 61,304 recoveries.