The theme for this year’s celebration was - “Solutions for Refugees and the Power of Inclusion”.
Speaking at the ceremony, Alhagie Ebou Joof, Finance and Administrative Manager, who spoke on behalf of executive director-Gambia Food and Nutrition Association, Yusufa J. Gomez, revealed that the day demonstrates the strong bond of partnership and support that exists between the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and other development partners in their broader drive of making refugees in the country feel at home.
He noted that the theme for this year’s event was anchored on the objective to show how and why the world can do more to include refugees generating hope and action.
“It is also aimed at communicating the need for solutions and the power of inclusion, paving the way to the Global Refugee Forum.”
Joof reminded that it is evident that majority of the refugees face enormous challenges ranging from livelihood, health, social protection after departing their countries of origin in emergency situation.
“GAFNA as a national development NGO has built partnership with UNHCR to provide humanitarian assistance to refugees and asylum seekers in order to reduce their vulnerability and improve their socio-economic status as they continue to live in The Gambia.”
He thanked the US Embassy and UNHCR for providing GAFNA with the much-needed financial resources to support refugees and asylum seekers in the country.
Famara Fadera, Commissioner for Gambia Commission for Refugees, revealed that at the end of 2022, the latest report on UNHCR’s Global trends official statistics on refugees, asylum seekers, internationally displaced and stateless people globally indicates that 108.4 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced as a result of persecution, conflicts, violence, human rights violation and events seriously disturbing public orders.
Assan Tangara, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Interior, assured that The Gambia would always be a safe haven for refugees and other persons of concern.
“My ministry is committed through the Gambia Commission for Refugees to assist your search for appropriate durable solutions.”
Mbai Mboob, Commissioner and representative from the Gambia Immigration Department, said his institution aligned itself “with the fundamental principle in diligent execution of our duties in providing the enabling protection environment for every refugee and persons of concern.”
