Hashi Shafi, executive director of the Somali Action Alliance, along with Twin Cities-area Imams and allied community leaders, have appealed to the Somali American Money Services Association (SAMSA) to restore money wiring services by using all available legal means to allow Somali Americans to send money to family members in the Horn and Eastern Africa.

Shafi said they recognize the urgency of this matter. The lives of Somalis who depend on remittances from the United States for food, housing and health care are in jeopardy because of the closure of the Money Services businesses .

The Alliance is deeply concerned by the halt of these services because of the refusal of large banks, Wells Fargo, U.S Bank, Sunrise Community Banks, among others to wire money to Somalia. 250,000 people affected by famine are at immediate risk if these funds are prevented from flowing.

“We are all working towards the same ends – to make sure that the lifeline remains open in the United States and around the world, and to save the link between the loved family members in Africa and the Somali Americans here,” Shafi said in letter dated Jan 11, 2012 to SAMSA’s board.

From the U.S, nearly $120 million in remittances are sent every year through MSBs; part of a global two-billion-dollar industry.

In December 2011, SAA convened a series of round-table meetings and telephone conferences between SAMSA, Sunrise Community Banks, community leaders, elected officials,  State and Federal agencies including the Treasury Department, The United States Attorney Office of Minnesota(DOJ) and the DHS’ Civil Rights and Civil Liberties in an attempt to prevent a shutdown of this system.

The alliance is encouraged by the unity of Somali Americans, Imams and the business community as they join together to voice their concern regarding this closure.

Shafi acknowledged the support from State and Federal elected officials and the unions who stand with the Somali people in this time of crisis.