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Millions lost as Somaliland counts cost of huge fire

The cause of the fire has not been established.

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by BRIAN ORUTA

News04 April 2022 - 12:48
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In Summary


  • • A commission set up by the local administration says the fire may have destroyed properties worth more than $1bn (£840m).
  • • Trade at the Waheen market was the lifeline of hundreds of thousands of low-income families in Hargeisa.
Millions lost as Somaliland counts cost of huge fire

Details are emerging about the destruction caused by Friday's massive fire that gutted down the main open-air market in Hargeisa, the capital of the self-declared republic of Somaliland.

A commission set up by the local administration says the fire may have destroyed properties worth more than $1bn (£840m).

The cause of the fire has not been established.

Trade at the Waheen market was the lifeline of hundreds of thousands of low-income families in Hargeisa.

It also served people from Ethiopia, Djibouti and some parts of Somalia and is thought to be the third largest market in the Horn of Africa.

World leaders, including British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, have promised to support rebuilding efforts.

Somalia's Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble has said his government would release $11.7m as part of an emergency response to the fire.

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia 30 years ago following the collapse of Siad Barre's government in 1991, but is yet to receive international recognition

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