After the recent bombings in Mogadishu, Somalia, EU Naval Force has provided medical supplies to the UN to support Somali casualties.
The Spanish SH60B helicopter, from ESPS RAYO, was loaded with high priority medical stores and equipment, as requested by the UN, in order to support the immediate needs in Mogadishu. The stores were received by Commander Russ Nash Royal Navy and his EU team of helpers, which were then moved as quickly as possible to the UN Medical Teams and put to immediate use.
RAYO was the nearest EU NAVFOR vessel and was diverted to bring in immediate help. Even though she is a military vessel unable to support large amounts of casualties, it was decided that a short-term, high impact event would help address the immediate needs.
In addition to EU NAVFOR efforts, the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO) has immediately started relief efforts and has released initial emergency funding. This will support humanitarian partners to quickly provide medical and surgical supplies, referral services through ambulance services, the Deployment of an Emergency Rapid Response Team, as well as the provision of psychological support & counselling services to relatives and survivors of the incident, and the training of government health care staff.
