Mogadishu (Sunatimes) As the world marks the World Aids Day today, Somalia is never left behind despite being in political disarray.

The day has been marked in several cities in the war-torn country, including the capital Mogadishu, Garowe and Galkayo as well as Hargeisa on the far north.

In Garowe, the capital of Puntland State of Somalia, the area vice president Abdisamed Ali Shire attended a colourful ceremony aimed at marking the day. The ceremony was organised by Puntland’s HIV/Aids prevention agency in order to create awareness among the locals.

Guest speakers of the event emphasised much on the need to create awareness among the local communities in the area on the danger HIV/AIDS pose on human health.

Medical students have reportedly made a walk through the streets of Garowe town as part of their awareness campaign.

This year’s World AIDS day theme is ‘Getting to Zero’, meaning that the world has to get a record of Zero New HIV Infections, Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS Related Deaths.

Elsewhere, similar events were held in Somalia’s central city of Galkayo, with the authorities in the north and the south holding separate events to mark the day.

Aids prevention and the risk it posed to the youth dominated both ceremonies.

Locals were issued with leaflets that bore HIV/AIDS related messages.

The day was earmarked on1st December 1988 to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.

Despite the day was commemorated in several parts of the country, people in Al-Shabaab controlled areas in south and central Somalia could join the rest of the world in marking the day.

Al-Shabaab considers such days as an Islamic, threatening to punish anyone trying to celebrate the day.

By Fadumo Farah