“Barclays is the last major British bank to still provide such money transfer services in Somalia. The letter signed by more than 100 researchers and aid workers states that its plan to close its account with Dahabshiil – the largest money transfer business providing services to Somalia – on 10 July will cause a crisis for the families that rely on the transfers. Abdirashid Duale said Barclay’s decision could see money transfers pushed underground into the hands of ‘unregulated and illegal providers’. The group estimates that almost three quarters of Somalis who receive funds from overseas use it to pay for basic food, education and medical expenses.”
