UNITED NATIONS: United Nations sanctions monitors say banned charcoal exports from Somalia are thriving, generating millions of dollars a year for Al-Shabab extremists — and often passing through Iran to have their origins obscured.
That’s according to excerpts from a yet-unpublished report seen by The Associated Press.
The monitors say that six years after the UN Security Council prohibited Somali charcoal exports to stem Al-Shabab funding, an estimated three million bags of charcoal are making their way out of the Horn of Africa country each year.
The monitors say the main destinations are ports in Iran. There, they say, charcoal that is already falsely labeled as coming from Comoros, Ghana or Ivory Coast is transferred and labeled “product of Iran.”
There is no immediate response from Iran’s UN mission.
UN report: Banned Somali charcoal exports pass through Iran
UN report: Banned Somali charcoal exports pass through Iran
KSrelief food aid reaches thousands across 7 countries
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's aid agency KSrelief recently distributed 100 cartons of dates in Yemen’s Shabwah governorate, reaching 600 individuals from the most vulnerable families.
In Benin, 280 food baskets were delivered in the town of Savalou in Collines, benefiting 1,680 people. The project plans to provide 7,825 baskets, assisting an estimated 47,000 individuals across multiple regions.
In Indonesia, 75 food baskets were handed out in East Jakarta, aiding 314 people. The initiative aims to distribute 7,000 baskets to about 30,000 beneficiaries across Jakarta, Banten, West Java, and Central Java.
In Uzbekistan, 410 food baskets were distributed in Andijan province, helping 1,530 people. The project targets 6,060 baskets for 36,000 individuals across 14 provinces.
In Brazil, KSrelief delivered 3,000 cartons of dates in Guarulhos, supporting 375 families, including refugees and migrants. The project aims to distribute 200 tonnes nationwide.
In Chad, 1,499 cartons of dates were provided to vulnerable groups in Al-Batha region, reaching 8,994 people as part of a plan to distribute 800 tonnes.
In Kosovo, 200 food baskets were distributed in Fushe Kosove, benefiting 1,000 individuals. The project aims to deliver 8,017 baskets to 40,000 beneficiaries across 30 districts.
