During the opening of the celebrations, Musa Saho, the Alkalo of Sibanor, spoke at length on the significant role refugees play towards nation building, adding: “Wherever you go, there are refugees among us. Refugees are just like us, capable of making significant contributions to society. “
He urged everyone to join hands in solidarity and support for refugees, while calling on the government to recognise that refugees possess rights similar to those of citizens and contribute positively to the community.
Babagally Jallow, the Deputy Governor of the West Coast Region, reflected on the harsh realities faced by the 100 million displaced individuals worldwide, saying: “Every year on June 20th, we pause to reflect and reaffirm our shared responsibility to extend compassion and support."
Mr. Jallow emphasised that creating a welcoming world for refugees reminds us that displacement does not strip individuals of their dreams, talents, or humanity, adding that refugees can be teachers, doctors, farmers, engineers, and parents, just like those whose lives have been disrupted by circumstances beyond their control.
Commissioner Ebrima Manneh, from the Gambia Commission for Refugees, stated that this year’s theme resonates deeply with The Gambia's commitment to uphold dignity, compassion, and protection for those forced to flee.
Mr. Manneh highlighted the efforts of the Gambia Commission for Refugees, under the Ministry of the Interior, to strengthen refugee protection and promote durable solutions. He reported significant progress, including the issuance of refugee ID cards, support for education and livelihoods, prevention of statelessness, and ongoing work on the national asylum system and local integration opportunities.
The Gambia Immigration Commissioner said statistics indicated that “there are currently 498 asylum seekers and 4,023 refugees in The Gambia, totaling 4,521 forcibly displaced individuals from 21 countries within the sub-region and beyond.”
Commissioner Manneh acknowledged that challenges remain, particularly in accessing healthcare, education, documentation, and employment. He called on all stakeholders, including ministries, NGOs, development partners, and community leaders to intensify efforts to make inclusion a reality for refugees in The Gambia.
Yusupha Gomez, Executive Director of GAFNA, a national NGO established in 1986, spoke about the organisation's long-standing partnership with the UNHCR, adding that GAFNA has been supporting the welfare of refugees and asylum seekers in The Gambia through UNHCR funding for over three decades.
GAFNA, he went on, aims to provide humanitarian assistance to refugees to alleviate their vulnerabilities and improve their socioeconomic status while living in The Gambia, saying: “The support provided is intended to mitigate some of the stress placed on available social amenities in host communities, which has been exacerbated by the influx of refugees.”
