UNHCR Rep. Assures of Refugee Protection, Welfare

The Daily Observer (Banjul)

Sanna Jawara

13 April 2011

The UNHCR Country Officer in The Gambia has assured of his office’s commitment to the protection and welfare of refugees in The Gambia and beyond.

Sehu Saho was speaking in a recent interview with the Daily Observer at his Kotu office. He was responding to series of complaints made against his office by a group of people who claimed to be refugees from the Republic of Somalia, Ivory Coast, Liberia and Togo. Reuben N. Weedor and Ibrahim M.B Konneh from Liberia; Diomande Loua, Kpan Deodule and Elizabeth from Ivory Coast; Jeremye Blabou and Rodrque Avissey from Togo; and Ibrahim Aden from Somalia, visited the Observer offices and claimed to be representing their nationals currently residing in The Gambia as refugees.

The refugees stated their resolve to contribute effectively towards the sustainable development of The Gambia and described The Gambia as very peaceful and hospitable. They however, stressed that they cannot do as expected of them if their problems are not addressed. They said the UNHCR failed in many aspects to address their plight as refugees living in The Gambia.

In a two-page written complaint handed over to this reporter, they complained among other things, that they were marginalised by the UNHCR Country Office, which did not address some of their needs such as food, shelter and jobs among others. This reporter then contacted the UNHCR Country Office for them to comment on the issue. Saho explained in detail the role and responsibilities of the UNHCR, and the rationale behind the establishment of the Commission by the General Assembly of the UN. He also gave a detailed description of what it takes for someone to have a refugee status, terms and conditions for refugees staying in their host countries, the cessation clause, and funding of the Commission by the donors among others.

Saho also stressed that it is the governments of host countries that determine refugee status and not the UNHCR. He said: “Because it is the government officials through Immigration and other security outfits who normally receive refugees at the borders before entering a country and these officers are also responsible for issuing identification papers to them for the purpose of making their stay in the country convenient.” He continued: “Without any identification, they would find their movement extremely difficult in the country. The UNHCR works closely with the government as far as issues relating to refugees are concerned. These identification documents are later referred to the UNHCR office by either the refugees themselves or the government authorities. UNHCR is having a file for registration of refugees and this file covers details of the refugees, whether they are with families or single; and their health status is also taken into consideration. In fact at the moment we don’t have that number of refugees in The Gambia. This I mean, large influx of people into the country as it was the case with Casamance, Sierra Leone and Liberia.”

The UNHCR Country officer claimed that the number of refugees in The Gambia is small, saying they are people who ran away from conflicts in their countries of origin. He added that this category of people gets registered with government when they are entering the country and they report to the UNHCR for identification. Further responding to the complaints, Saho said his office works closely with The Gambia Food and Nutrition Association (GAFNA) in providing food items, health and educational sponsorship to refugees in The Gambia. The UNHCR boss also disclosed that a multi-purpose health counselling centre for refugees was established in Bakoteh Village in the KMC.

Refugee education

Sehu Saho insisted that the UNHCR only provides education for refugee children, and not adults. He said this covers primary and secondary education. He hinted that the educational provision also places emphasis on sending the beneficiary students to public schools, which are perceived to be cheaper and cost-effective than private schools, because according to him, this was in response to funds available from donors.

Sierra Leone refugee repatriation

The UNHCR Country officer recalled steps taken prior to what he called voluntary repatriation of Sierra Leonean refugees in The Gambia between 2003-2008. According to him, following the return of peace to Sierra Leone, the UNHCR and the donor communities saw the need for those wanting to return to do so, and support was rendered to them by the UNHCR and the donor communities through provision of air tickets are among others.

Saho said the same method is in the pipeline for the Liberian refugees and it also followed the peaceful return of good governance system in that country. He explained that the case is different for those from far off African countries who came to The Gambia on their own after running away from conflict and strife in their countries of origin. “They will be regarded as refugees and they will be treated as such, but it’s not the responsibility of the UNHCR to find job for everyone in the name of refugee. We have our own limits and constraints. We can provide education for them, health, counselling, food among others, but we cannot provide everything for them. We are committed to the welfare of every refugee and we will do everything possible to make their stay comfortable in the country. Without refugees there could be no UNHCR, so we are here for them,” Saho said.

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