Dr.
Momodou Tangara, the minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and
Gambians Abroad has recently disclosed to parliamentarians that as a result of
the intensity and rapidity of the spread of covid-19, his Ministry is currently
engaging its mission in Washington to appeal to the U.S. authorities based on
humanitarian grounds for Gambians who are under the custody of the Immigration
and Custom Enforcement (ICE) of the United States of America to be temporarily
released until such time the threat of covid-19 has been substantially reduced.
“Our
Mission in Washington has also designated Honourary Consul in States that have
significant amount of Gambians in the U.S. to serve as liaison between the
communities and the embassy. However, we wish to regrettably inform you that
two adult female Gambians succumbed to the covid-19 in USA.”
The
minister stated that in North Carolina few Gambians caught the virus but
certainly with mild symptoms and has fully recovered. He added that in New
York, the number of affected Gambians is not yet established but the confirmed
victims either fully recovered or are recovering well.
He
said the Gambian communities in Canada and Brazil have also been contacted and
they are informed that no Gambian has been infected or killed by the virus.
“Even
though our mission lacks the necessary funds to provide support to the affected
Gambians, our mission in the Washington is currently providing both moral and
advisory support as required.”
Following
series of consultations with Gambia’s embassy in Beijing, minister explained
the current situation of Gambians in Guangzhou, saying a Gambian Businessman in
Guangzhou who was on quarantine at Tao Jin hotel has been released from
isolation on Wednesday 15 April 2020 after tested negative.
He
disclosed that 23 Gambians in Senegal including seven children, 10 in Mali,
three in Malaysia, four in London, and six in Nigeria are stranded.
