By Olimatou Coker
Gambia Food and Nutrition Association (GAFNA) has recently commemorated World Refugee Day 2021 held at Manyina village in Foni Bintang Karanai.
Speaking, Alexander Gnegouri, a refugee leader, said being a refugee is never easy and it will never be easy because you are separated from your family and face new challenges.
“We are seeking support and help from the alkalo and the sponsors of GAFNA for the betterment of the refugee life in The Gambia,” he said.
Louis Mendy, Commissioner of Gambia Commission for Refugees (GCR), said Covid-19 has an impact on the protection of refugees but with all hopes, the refugees do have the support of the government as well as the international community at large.
He stated that the refugee population in The Gambia has been declining and more refugees are taking roles in active community service.
Yussufa J Gomez, Executive Director of Gambia Food and Nutrition Association, said WRD is an international day designated by the United Nations to honor refugees around the globe. “World Refugee Day is an occasion to build empathy and understanding for their plight and to recognise their resilience in rebuilding their lives”.
He added that the theme for this year’s commemoration is “inclusion of refugees and host communities through health, education and sports”.
“It is evident that the majority of these refugees are faced with enormous challenges ranging from livelihood, health, social protection and so forth after departing their countries of origin in emergency situations,” he explained.
“One of the projects to be inaugurated and supported by UNHCR in 2021 is the Sibanor upper and senior secondary school solar reticulation water systems costing D600,000. This facility is now providing uninterrupted water supply for a population of 870 pupils and 37 teachers. The refugee soforia poultry processing and preservation plan cost D1.2 million during the funding year 2019/2020. GAFNA had to mobilze additional funds for an amount of D176,795 to be able to complete the project to its present state and UNHRC through its regular funding in 2020 provide the solar reticulation water system for the processing and preservation plant at a tune of D438,350”.
