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Forli’ (SL Times) – On the 4th of November, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, president of the Italian republic conferred a golden medal on Annalena Tonelli for her "passion and restless commitment in favor of the Somali refugees, affected by infective diseases, malnutrition, female genital mutilation. Her effort was without rest until the day of her brutal death. She is a model and an example of moral strength and coherence based on the values of civility, justice and solidarity."
Ivano Natali - vice president of the Committee against hunger in the world based in Forli’, said that "This medal is a reason to give continuity to Annalena's work. But we are sorry to see that all this is happening after her death. She wasn't helped or even listened to when she was alive and working hard for her hospital in Borama. I remember when she was awarded the Nansen refugees prize no one from the Italian government contacted her or even congratulated her. It's sad to see that it took her tragic death for the powerful and the politicians to notice her. "
The High Commissioner for the Refugees expressed "profound appreciation for the medal that the Italian president dedicated to Annalena's memory who spent 30 years of her life healing the poor of Africa. We hope that this could encourage doctor Tonelli's collaborators working in various projects - including that of Borama - and all the people who always supported her to continue what she started, according to her spirit and strength".
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