ADDIS ABABA: Three critically wounded journalists, who were among Seven wounded journalists, received $400 medical assistance including transfer costs from the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) on behalf of Doha Center for Media Freedom (DCMF). The journalists, received variety of shrapnel wounds from the suicide bombing on September 20 at the Village restaurant which claimed the lives of three journalists. Abdullahi Mohamed “Suldaan" who was suffering broken right was handed over to $2000 including the transfer costs and Mohamed Husein, who was suffering shrapnel wounds and burns on the face and Abdikarin Gutale who was suffering shrapnel wounds below the collarbone and the back and right hands each received $1000 including the transfer costs, by the Secretary General of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), Mohamed Ibrahim, on behalf of Doha Center For Media Freedom (DCMF). The handover ceremony which took place at the Daaru-Shifa Hospital where the journalists were hospitalized, was attended by the Media bosses of Mogadishu including the Directors of Radio Mogadishu, Royal Television manager and Radio Kulmiye. “We have the honor to provide you this valuable assistance for your medical treatment on behalf of Doha Center for Media Freedom" Mohamed Ibrahim, Secretary General of the National (NUSOJ) said, “On behalf of the Somali Journalists, I thank DCMF for their continued support to the Somali Journalists in distress." Mohamed Husein, who spoke on behalf of the wounded journalists thanked to Doha Center for Media Freedom for their generous support and vowed that they will continue working as journalists if they recover. Somali journalists work in one of the most dangerous environments in Africa with 15 journalists and media workers killed this year alone in Somalia highlighting the dangers of being a journalist in Somalia. This was not the first time Doha Center for Media Freedom has provided assistance to the Somali journalists but they have provided assistance to more than a dozen journalists in Somalia. Meanwhile, the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) is seeking further assistance to the Somali Journalists Abdulkadir Omar Abdulle Mogadishu reporter for UNIVERSAL TV, wounded in Mogadishu on July 7. 2012 then flown to Nairibi on July 23, operated, repaired his broken bone on his right leg, on the 24th July who currently needs urgent operation in his leg. Although, Abdulkadir seems, a bit relieved from his traumatic experience in the past but he still needs urgent medical care after two months recovery over the repaired leg turned unsuccessfully, doesn't work apparently and needs another time of repairing as his Nairobi hospital doctor M Wanyoike advised. A Somali Local Youth Organization – United Youth of Somalia (SYU) which fortunately helped fund Abdulkadir's medical expenses of about $18,000, announced that it did not have funds for Abdulkadir's second operation roughly of more than $6,000. Meanwhile, the union started local fundraising for the famous Somali cartoonist, Abdullahi Abdirahman Abdullahi better known as “ALIF" who has lost one of his legs after he suffered severe diabetes and currently needs urgent medical treatment as well.
