Originally posted by the Voice of America.
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Somali Students in Wuhan Speak of Fear, Loneliness, Hunger

Harun Maruf

   Somali students in coronavirus-stricken Wuhan say they are trapped in
   their university rooms feeling frightened and lonely, and are appealing
   for the Somali government to help them leave the besieged Chinese city.

   "The situation in Wuhan is very, very dangerous," said Yassin Abdi
   Said, one of several Somali students who spoke to VOA's Somali service
   via Skype. "The city is on lockdown, most shops are closed. Authorities
   are not allowing anyone to go out or come in." Wuhan is the epicenter
   of the epidemic.

   Said added that no taxis are operating, and the hospitals are filling
   up as the potentially deadly virus spreads.

   Like Said, accounting student Redwan Mohamed Nur, 22, has remained
   holed up in his university dormitory room for the past five days. One
   of 14 Somali students at Wuhan University, he says he has left his room
   only to walk to the university's front gate, where school officials
   have been delivering food to foreign students every second day.

   "I did not leave my room, I can only go as far as the gate to receive
   the food," Nur said. "I'm scared to even open the window because I'm
   afraid the wind may carry the virus in. I use a mask but it's difficult
   to get it now."

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