Benadir hires 15 trained lifeguards

[Titanium]

The Benadir administration has trained and deployed a team of lifeguards to save people from drowning at Mogadishu's Lido Beach.

Since the team of 15 trained lifeguards started September 1st with a fleet of five rescue boats, they have rescued ten people, including two children, said Abdiaziz District Commissioner Abdullahi Hussein Hassan.

"I have been working to establish these boat patrols for a while to rescue the Somali people, as there has recently been an increase in Somali youth harmed in the ocean," he told Sabahi. '

An emergency health centre is now operating at Lido Beach to provide medical care to people injured swimming or wading in the ocean, he said.

"Sometimes young people take trips to enjoy themselves in the ocean, but would return home in misery after one of their friends was swept away by the ocean," Hassan said. "Now we are working hard to prevent that."

"The role of the boats is not only to rescue people; they also prevent young people from swimming in areas that are too far from the beach by asking them to turn back as a way of keeping track of the swimmers," he said.

Hassan called on Somali business people to help with the acquisition of more rescue boats so lifeguards can provide better assistance, especially during high tides.

Allaying fears

Restaurant owners at Lido Beach are eager to help the lifeguards, said Mohamed Abdullahi Ali, manager of Lido Bar.

"We greatly welcome the young people who are trained as lifeguards to rescue the people who come to swim in Lido Beach," he told Sabahi. "Our immediate plan is to meet with the individuals who are engaged in these efforts so we can consult with them on how to assist them."

Shamso Omar, a 39-year-old mother of six who lives in Abdiaziz district, expressed relief and gratitude that lifeguard boats were patrolling the beach's waters.

"I wholeheartedly welcome [the Benadir administration's] efforts in [establishing] this group that is rescuing our children at Lido Beach," she told Sabahi. "We cannot stop children and young people from going to the beach during school holidays. I am happy that my fears in that regard are diminished."

Hamar Weyne district resident Faisal Hassan Yare, 27, said he had seen children and young people who are poor swimmers swept away by waves and currents "on many occasions".

"I was deeply saddened," Yare told Sabahi. "My swimming skills are not good enough to rescue everyone, but I have taken part in rescuing children on several occasions. I am sure many people can be saved with these boats."

"It is easy for the ocean to sweep someone away, but it is not easy to rescue a person," Yare said. "I would advise [rescuers] to be extra careful about their safety, and young children should not be allowed to swim far away from the beach."