大象传媒

大象传媒 World Service
Last updated:聽29 september, 2010 - 13:04 GMT

Saving lives in Mogadishu

Being an ambulance driver in the Somali capital Mogadishu has to be one of the most dangerous jobs in the world.

Ali Muse is in charge of a team of ambulance drivers who risk their lives every day as they ferry the wounded to hospital.

The ambulance service was set up two years ago by the charity Lifeline Africa. It is sponsored by a telecommunications company.

Before this, casualties had to be taken to hospital by handcart or on the back of donkeys.

All of the ambulance drivers are volunteers who work around the clock for little money.

Each day they run the gauntlet of checkpoints manned by different armed groups wary of potential attackers.

Ali told Outlook’s Matthew Bannister what sort of people volunteer for such a dangerous job.

First broadcast on 29 September 2010.