By Fatou Gassama
ARONCY recently organised a cybersecurity awareness workshop to strengthen the digital resilience of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), civil society groups, and development partners.
The workshop, held at SOS Children’s Village last Thursday, brought together NGO representatives, technology experts, and cybersecurity professionals to address growing cyber threats facing humanitarian and development organisations. Participants received practical guidance on protecting sensitive information, preventing phishing attacks, securing systems, and responding to cyber incidents.
Jean-Pierre Kooamin, National Director of SOS Children’s Village, said the initiative — supported by NetHope and operating in ten countries including The Gambia, the first English-speaking country in the programme — is critical.
He explained that the project began three to four years ago and that last year’s review meeting in Senegal led to The Gambia’s inclusion.
“Cyberattacks are a current and serious threat,” he said, adding that cybersecurity must be a strategic priority for every organisation.
“In 2021, while working at the regional office in Dakar, SOS experienced a global cyberattack that caused a total system blackout for more than 24 hours. We could not send emails, access data, or process financial transactions. The disruption was severe and costly to recover from.”
Kooamin emphasised that restoring systems often requires significant financial investment. He noted that statistics distributed at the workshop show 43% of NGOs experienced cyberattacks in the past five years, while 70% lack adequate response capabilities.
“NGOs handle highly sensitive personal and financial data and are increasingly targeted. We cannot wait to become victims.”
He added that the initiative aims to build a collaborative landscape for information sharing and capacity building, making operations safer for organisations and the people they serve.
Expected outcomes include improved awareness and knowledge, information sharing, and clearer understanding of national regulations and response partners.
Jean Lamin Marenah, ICT Manager at SOS Children’s Village The Gambia and ARONCY focal person, said ARONCY launched as a cybersecurity awareness network for NGOs.
“NGOs collect large volumes of personal data and work with vulnerable communities and sensitive institutions. We must protect participants, partners, government collaborators, and other NGOs,” he said. “Data protection is integral to cybersecurity.”
Marenah explained that ARONCY was founded in 2024 with primary funding from NetHope and SOS Children’s Villages International. The network began in nine francophone countries (from Ivory Coast to Senegal) and expanded to The Gambia as the tenth country and the only anglophone participant. He said ARONCY seeks to create a framework for secure data sharing among NGOs and to ensure partners protect participant data to agreed standards.
Mariama Sanyang, Communications Officer for CO Africa, said she expects the training to significantly strengthen NGOs’ digital protection. “This initiative is vital because our work is predominantly online,” she said.
“We face threats not only from funding-related exposure but also from advocacy visibility. It is essential for organisations to know how to protect themselves effectively.”
