The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) has delivered a donation of COVID-19 protective equipment to journalists and other media workers in the country.
NUSOJ said the donation would go a long way in protecting 283 Somali journalists and other media workers to perform their tasks despite the threat of COVID-19.
Its donation included 1,415 reusable facemasks. NUSOJ handed five reusable cloth facemasks to each recipient.
The equipment was handed out to journalists at their respective media houses. Freelance journalists also received their equipment.
NUSOJ’s Secretary General, Omar Faruk Osman, said, “It is our priority to ensure that journalists work in a safe environment hence the decision to donate the facemasks.”
Osman said, “Journalists are providing essential services hence our belief that they are frontline workers who need all the tools required to perform their job safely and efficiently.”
Unlike workers in other industries, Osman said that journalists lack the option of working from home. He said that the fact they are in harm’s way justifies making these donations.