The Rotary Club of Footscray’s 19th container of medical and mobility goods has arrived in the Somali Regional State in Ethiopia.
This project was commissioned to provide many people living in the Horn of Africa region a positive difference in their lives. In particular, the
project aimed to provide medical equipment to local hospitals that were in dire need, and to support locals who would otherwise travel long distances to receive the basic medical care.
The container was delivered to Jigjiga Primary Hospital in Jigjiga, the capital city of the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia. The container, loaded 13th of May 2025, was unloaded on the 30th of August 2025, at a ceremony that was attended by:
- Mr. Mohamed Ayanle, Somali Regional State of Ethiopia Health Bureau Vice Head
- Eng Shafi Ahmed Moalin, Mayor of Jigjiga City
- Dr. Mohamed Muhumed Ibrahim, Jigjiga Primary Hospital CEO
- Mr. Aden Ahmed Hirsi, Somali State Olive Welfare Association General Manager and
- Various Somali Region Clan leaders including Ugaas Muhyadin Sh Ismail, and many members of the Jigajiga community.
The project enjoyed tremendous support from many. First and foremost, we would like highlight the incredible work of the DIK manager Colleen d’Offay and the DIK volunteers, and the members of the Rotary Club of Footscray. The majority of the medical equipment was donated by Western Health and Austin Health.
Special thanks to:
Footscray Rotary is extremely grateful to:
- Footscray Rotary Aged and Community Service Fund, headed by Darcy Brennan, for a significant financial contribution
- Ambassador H.E. Hadera Abera, Ethiopian State Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Ambassador Fitsum Arega, Executive Director of the Ethiopian Diaspora Service
- H.E. Frehiwot Abebe, Ethiopian State Minister of Health
- H. E. Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
- H.E. Debele Kabeta, commissioner of the Ethiopian Customs, for their generous exemption of fees and charges normally applied to imported goods
- H.E. Mr. Anwar Muktar Mohammed, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Ambassador in Australia
- Mr. Awlachew Masre Zeru, Diaspora Engagement Affairs Minister for the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in Australia and Counsellors Mr. Yalelet Getachew Ashenafi & Mr. Odaa Gemechu Wahelo, for their assitance in dealing with various levels of governments
- Dr. Hussein Kasim, Somali Regional State Chief of Cabinet
- Amin Ahmed, Special Advisory to the Somali Regional State President
- Dr. Mussa Ibrahim, Head of Somali Regional State of Ethiopia Health Bureau
- Ahmed Shukri Abdi, Somali Regional State Urban Development and Construction Bureau Head for liaising with Bolidid General Construction Company, and Gama Crushing & Construction Partnership
- The Mayoral office of Jigjiga for the payment of the cost of transportation of the medical equipment from Berbera Somaliland Berbera Port to Jigjiga
- Mr. Aden Ahmed Hirsi, Somali State Olive Welfare Association General Manager for the majority of the groundwork involved to ensure the success of the project
- Yusuf Khadar Abdi, Gargaar Integrated Logistics, Berbera Somaliland Port Operation Coordinator for invaluable support in facilitating the custom clearance and transport of the medical equipment,
- Somaliland Clan Leader, Ugaas Muhyadin Sh Ismail for organising the custom exemption paperwork with Somaliland Ministry of Finance Director General Mr Mohamed Hasan
- Kindhun Workalem, Infinity Custom Clearing and General Trading PLC and Zinaw Derebe Mulugeta Alene, Ethiopian Customs Commission Jigjiga Branch Manager for cooperation in the clearance of the medical equipment.
- The Somali and Harari communities in Australia and abroad, for their generosity in their contributions to the transportation of the medical equipment.
- Fatih Yargi, the General Manager of the Australian Light Foundation, has provided immense support in offering additional assistance whenever needed.
The Hararian Organization Inc. has shown us great kindness in providing storage space for donated medical equipment, in particular Amir Shash and Mohamed Jami who have many times assisted in loading and unloading equipment, and Imran Abdoush Ibrahim who made a video documentary of the success of the project.
Footscray Rotary has also received communications from H.E. Dr. Peter Hunter, Australian Ambassador to Ethiopia, and the Hon. Tim Watts MP, Special Envoy for Indian Ocean Affairs and Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, recording their appreciation of this project, for addressing healthcare needs in the Horn of Africa region, establishing healthcare facilities in
response to urgent demand in the spirit of service and compassion, and wishing continued success in the efforts to improve access to life-saving medical care.
To conclude, Footscray Rotary and Donations in Kind feel proud of their efforts have made a positive difference for those who were in dire need of assistance. It is truly remarkable to see how much has been achieved through their determined and warm-hearted efforts, and it is important to reflect on this success and understand that we are capable of great things. Footscray Rotary soon plan on sending the 20th container of essential medical equipment to the Dilchora Referral Hospital in the Dire Dawa City Administration of Ethiopia. The significance of this next destination is that Dire Dawa City is one of the most multicultural and cosmopolitan cities in Ethiopia and is a melting pot of different ethnic groups, with many languages spoken by the multilingual citizens, including Amharic, Somali, Oromo, Harari, Guragigna, Arabic, French, among many others.
If you have goods to donate please contact your local Rotary Club or Donations in Kind by EMAIL