MOGADISHU, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations top envoy in Somalia has called for more support for the country's only free ambulance service to help respond to urgent medical needs of the residents.
Michael Keating, the UN secretary-general's special representative for Somalia, praised the work of the Aamin Free Ambulance Service, which operates throughout the year and around the clock.
"Even though most of their work is not related to violence, they play an important role in providing the population a degree of comfort that when something very bad goes wrong, there is someone they can turn to," Keating said during a visit to Aamin's offices in Mogadishu on Monday.
In a statement from the UN mission (UNSOM) released on Monday evening, Keating called for more support for the 24/7 volunteer-run service, which maintains a fleet of 10 ambulances, field mobile units and rescue units to meet any emergency in the shortest possible time anywhere in the capital.
"The fact that it's supported by volunteers is very important," Keating said. "Aamin has got a very strong vision and mission and wants to expand. It's great that a Somali organisation is taking on this responsibility and building the partnerships that enable it to deliver."
Aamin's services garnered global attention in the immediate aftermath of the devastating car bomb explosion, which killed at least 512 people and wounded over 300 in Mogadishu on Oct.14 last year. Its staff were among the first responders at the scene.
