Dahabshiil Celebrates Ramadan With Donation of Livestock to Somali Hospitals

HARGEISA, Somalia, August 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Dahabshiil Group has donated five hundred head of livestock to public hospitals in major cities across the Somali territories.

Dahabshiil Group - which consists of Dahabshiil Money Transfer, Dahabshiil Bank International and telecommunications company Somtel - offered the livestock in celebration of the holy month of Ramadan, during which philanthropic giving and altruism are encouraged.

A donation ceremony was held in Dahabshiil offices across twenty major towns including Hargeisa, Berbera, Mogadishu and Garowe. The ceremony took place simultaneously in each of the twenty locations on Sunday 5August. The donation was part of the regular contributions made by the Group to underprivileged local communities.

Dahabshiil CEO, Abdirashid Duale, said:

"During this holy month it is important that we recognise those who are less fortunate. Dahabshiil's heritage is built on a culture of philanthropy that rings true throughout the core of our business. This donation was in recognition of the vital services and duties undertaken by public hospitals across all Somali territories."

Dahabshiil has a 40-year history of supporting Somali-speaking communities around the world, and invests millions of dollars in community regeneration projects and charitable efforts across the 150 countries in which it operates. Last year, Dahabshiil donated over US$200,000 to the drought victims in South Central Somalia. This donation was one of the largest from a list of corporates.

Founded in 1970 as a general trading enterprise, Dahabshiil is the 'rags to riches' story of an African entrepreneur, partnered with his son, who had to start again from scratch after the Somali civil war. With limited resources and a strong network of contacts they set about rebuilding their company, which two decades later is one of the largest international money transfer businesses in the Horn of Africa, providing access to funding for communities in some of Africa's most remote locations.

Despite its international success, Dahabshiil has remained committed to a policy of low commissions, charging fees significantly lower than other international providers and enabling migrants to send funds regularly and cost-effectively, regardless of their whereabouts or the size of the sums transferred.

NB: The twenty cities in which the donation ceremony was held were: Hargeisa, Berbera, Borama, Gabiley, Buuhoodle, LaasCaanood, Erigavo, Burao, Bosaaso, Beletweyn, Mogadishu, Marka, Jowhar, Garowe, Galkacayo, Galmudug, Baydhabo-Bay, Hudur-Bakool, Kismayo, Buaale and Garbahaarey.