Ismail Hetty Koes Endang

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To see London-bus-driver Nadir Only, here with his daughter, died after contracting coronavirus

In our series, " letters from African journalists, Ismail Einashe reflects on the impact of the Corona-Virus is on the Somali community in London.

The Signs of Dahabshiil, the Somali money-transfer companies, are a familiar sight in some of The Streets of London.

The Green -and-white logo is displayed in the window of the internet cafes and shops, the high-density inner-city streets of Camden, Mile End and Shepherd's Bush to the sprawling suburbs.

the London-based community of Somalis is one of the largest in our diaspora, and a regular ritual for its members to go to to send these transactions to The Money to their families Back Home .

This is an important lifeline for those in a country that is still young from decades of conflict.

is Missing important payments

It is estimated that Somalis transfer More Than $1 billion (£0. 8bn) each Year , More Than Somalia receives aid.

But the coronavirus crisis has an impact on these important payments.

The pandemic, which claimed More Than 16,500 people live in the UK, has hit the Somali community hard, both in economic and human terms.

The Family of Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahabm, who died when he was 13, could not contain at his funeral

The Dead , a disproportionately large number of Somalis, such as Nadir, a 48-Year -old Bus Driver who was said to be in good health. He leaves behind a 10-month-old daughter and four other children.

Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab, a 13-Year -old boy from South London , died of The Virus alone is in the hospital. His Family could not funeral, once his, as they were forced to isolate themselves.

At The Other end of the age range there, Ahmed Ismail Hussein Hudeidi, a Founding Father of modern Somali music, who died in London after the conclusion of the contract coronavirus at the Age Of 91 years.

It is impossible to be sure of the exact number of Somalis in London.

According to the British Office for National Statistics, there were 108,000 Somali-born residents of the UK as a whole in the Year 2018.

But this is only the records, born in Somalia, born not ethnic Somalis in the UK or those coming from other European countries, such as the Netherlands or Sweden.

Most estimates there are around 250,000 in the UK, by far the largest group, who lives in London.

There have been several waves of Somali immigration:

Diabetes and high blood pressure

There are A Number of reasons why the Somalis, like some other ethnic minorities in the UK, appears to have been affected by The Virus .

In the UK, many older Somalis suffer from pre-existing conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. They often live in crowded, multi-generational social housing in low-income areas of large cities.

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Somalis in London often work in vital but low-paid jobs, which is now leaving you vulnerable on the frontline of The Crisis .

you are part of the London-based migrant staff: nursing staff, nurses, bus drivers and cleaners in the majority of precarious jobs, often on insecure contracts.

Covid-19, the depth has divided exposed to economic and social, in London.

Since the lockdown began, and the majority of London's shops, many of Dahabshiil outlets, have closed their doors, some Somalis found it difficult to adapt, because they are unsure of How To send money with apps or phones.

Ismail EinasheThe pressure to send money to Somalia, some have lost a toll and now that their jobs, and that pressure weighs even heavier" Ismail Einashe
Journalist

recently I spoke with an older relative, who was concerned, she was able to send money Back To their family, because the shops in the vicinity of her apartment were closed. At The End , another relative had to help transfer The Money via an app, which is something you don't understand.

The Money , usually between $150 and $300 that people send back again each and every month make a big difference to their families. People depend on you for their everyday expenses to pay for food, rent or medication.

But the pressure to send money to Somalia can take a toll on people who are poor and live in one of The Most expensive cities in The World .

Now, some have lost their jobs because companies window shutters, the pressure weighs even heavier.

Many are unemployed for a long time, in debt and serious financial hardships for years to come.

The Streets of London were never paved with gold, but now many of us have, to explain, to have unbelieving relatives, things are even More difficult.

Somalia is dealing with its own Corona-Virus outbreak, as well as floods and locust infestation, and now there is a loss of income from abroad is imminent.

This virus is not only a tragedy on The Streets of London, but also on The Streets of Mogadishu, Hargeisa and Bosaso.

More letters from Africa

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Source of news: bbc.com