CAID holds national forum on refugee situation in The Gambia

Speaking at the forum, CAID executive director Ibrahim Ceesay said the forum was organized to create awareness, as well as to involve all stakeholders in The Gambia regarding the situation of refugees in the country.

Ceesay added that CAID is committed to the cause of refugees in The Gambia, and thanked the US Embassy in the country for funding the forum, as well as the UNHCR for their timely intervention.

He noted that the UNHCR has since involved in programmes beneficial to refugees, adding that strategies will be planned on how refugees in The Gambia could be given more support.

UNHCR representative Alabatou Jatta also pinpointed some of the interventions and support the UNHCR has been rendering to the refugee community in The Gambia.

Jatta noted that the UNHCR is always at the forefront in addressing, intervening, supporting and responding in assisting refugees, which he said was the mandate of the UNHCR, and are anticipating seeking more support.

He said that since 2009, the UNHCR had been providing support to Senegalese refugees in The Gambia, something the UNHCR could not do alone. He thanked the US Embassy in Banjul for its support.

Serign Modou Joof, in his speech, stated that the refugees must enjoy all the legal instruments given to them for protection, adding that the government had been doing everything possible for the refugees, and would continue to support them.