The Ministry of Health has raised an alarm over the influx of relief food in the Somali market.
A letter dated 17th February from the ministry directs the Somali Police to impound relief food on sale and prosecute traders involved in the illegal business
“Top officials in the Ministry of Health have confirmed that special aid food for malnourished children were found in markets” Hussein Osman Hussein the acting Health Minister stated in the the letter addressed to the Commissioner of Police stated.
Among the food that has ended up in the markets include Plumpy’Nuts, biscuits, cooking oil and beans.
“The Ministry of Health is requesting the Police Commissioner to impound those goods and arrest the traders involved in that business and also those who buy and sell medical drugs meant for the treatment of patients in hospitals” is stated.
The public has been warned from purchasing relief food and medicine and legal action is to be taken on anyone found in possession of the goods.
Latest statistic show up to 6 million Somalis are in need of relief food.
Unscrupulous traders however have found their way into buying the relief food to make a profit by selling it to unsuspecting consumers on the Somali market.
