Case Study: Navigating hostile environments
Homeland International recounts how its services were called upon to repatriate mortal remains from Somalia to Uganda.
International repatriation provider Homeland International were recently engaged on a highly sensitive and challenging repatriation case from the Somalian capital of Mogadishu to a small town in Uganda. Unfortunately, due to a recent safety incident during a case in Somalia, Homeland’s usual provider was unavailable, so the team had to demonstrate adaptability – drawing on an extensive global network of providers and leveraging their unrivalled expertise to accomplish the repatriation.
This case study examines the complexities involved in repatriating mortal remains from a hostile environment like Somalia, and how, despite the challenges, this repatriation was completed within a short timeframe of just six days. Mogadishu presented a host of challenges that added to the complexity of the repatriation process. The city’s volatile security situation made it dangerous to operate – with ongoing conflicts, a lack of infrastructure, and instability. Moreover, navigating local customs and bureaucratic procedures posed additional hurdles.
Feet on the ground in Mogadishu
For Homeland International, it was crucial to exercise the utmost caution and sensitivity, to ensure the safe and timely return of the deceased person to their family. Unable to call upon the support of their usual provider, Homeland International faced a race against time to fulfil their duty to the insurance client and the bereaved family. To expedite the process, the company decided to deploy a colleague from another country in Africa with experience in repatriation services to handle the situation on the ground.
The deployed colleague was instrumental in navigating the local procedures and bureaucratic hurdles in Mogadishu. Understanding the cultural and legal aspects, they liaised with the authorities to obtain the necessary permits and clearances for the repatriation. Their presence and experience were vital in ensuring the swift completion of the required paperwork.
Homeland International’s vast network of partners proved invaluable in securing an airline willing to handle the repatriation from Mogadishu to the Ugandan capital of Kampala. Given the challenging circumstances, securing cooperation from airlines was not a straightforward task. However, the colleague’s local knowledge, combined with Homeland International’s professional reputation, helped secure the necessary arrangements. Flights were duly sourced, the coffin safely transported to the airport in Mogadishu and the flight then departed for Kampala.
Landing in Kampala
Upon landing safely in Kampala, Homeland International’s local team in Uganda took charge to clear customs, and to collect the remains from the airport. They efficiently facilitated the transportation of the coffin by road to the small village in the north of the country where the family resided. Their seamless coordination and logistics expertise ensured that the remains reached their final destination without any delays or complications.
Homeland International’s successful completion of this highly sensitive and challenging repatriation case exemplifies their expertise, adaptability, and extensive global network of providers. Navigating the hostile environment of Mogadishu required a delicate balance of diplomacy, local knowledge, and meticulous adaptability. Despite the unforeseen circumstances, the company efficiently managed the repatriation, ensuring the family’s wishes were met and that the deceased person was laid to rest in their hometown in Uganda.