Under the UK’s Victims of Overseas Terrorism Compensation Scheme, victims and their families who were impacted by the August 2 al-Shabaab terrorist attack at Mogadishu’s Liido Beach—which resulted in nearly 40 fatalities and over 200 injuries—are now qualified to receive compensation.
One of the bloodiest attacks in recent Somali history, it has sparked international outrage and revealed serious security failings on the part of the Somali government.
Following the official designation of the Liido Beach incident as an act of terrorism by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, impacted British, EU, EEA, and Swiss individuals, together with members of the UK armed forces, are eligible to pursue compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). You can apply online at GOV.UK, and you don’t need to hire an attorney to help you. You can get free unbiased guidance from a number of charitable organizations.
Serious security lapses have been brought to light by the incident, which resulted in the arrest of multiple Somali army officers who were on duty at the time.
The incident was called a “barbaric atrocity” by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, who said it violated the cultural and religious norms of Somalia. He called for collective solidarity for the victims and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to holding those guilty accountable.
After the terrorist attack, hundreds of Somalis gathered at Liido Beach to protest against Al-Shabaab’s terror campaign, sparking government-organized demonstrations in Mogadishu.
Critical blood shortages in Mogadishu’s hospitals were also made evident by the attack, prompting last-minute public requests for donations. A national blood bank is required, as the Somali government has admitted, in order to properly handle situations like this.
International organizations have denounced the incident and reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s fight against terrorism, notably the African Union (AU) and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD). The Somali government has warned that the illegal flow of weapons into Somalia posed a serious threat to regional stability and has urged UN members and neighboring nations to rigorously abide by the arms embargo on al-Shabaab.
A half-million dollar fund has been set up by the Somali Cabinet to help with the medical care and life rebuilding of individuals affected by the attack. It is recommended that victims and their families file for compensation via CICA in order to receive additional support.