President Barrow Meets IFRC Secretary General
President Adama Barrow, on Monday morning, received the Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Mr Jagan Chapagain, at the State House in Banjul.
During the visit President Barrow emphasizes the importance of partnerships, confidence building, job creations and migration enlightenment.
He stated that it was time to think outside the box in addressing pressing issues such as migration, climate change, and security concerns.
He further expresses concern over the many young lives being lost to illegal routes in search of greener pastures.
He quotes “If we are determined, we can make it in the country.”
He further expresses concerns regarding climate change, saying, “climate change is real, and we need resilient programmes to mitigate its negative impact on our lives”.
He concluded by reiterating his call for peace and stability.
Briefing the President on the purpose of his visit, Nepalese-born IFRC Secretary General complimented the national Red Cross group for the transformation during his second visit to The Gambia.
He observed the Society’s use of funds and the quality of its reporting processes, defining the system and policy for financial sustainability and mobilisation.
SG Chapagain identifies five critical areas of the Red Cross Society’s interventions across over one hundred projects, responding to crisis, supporting communities to build resilience, migration, climate change, gender and inclusive programming.
He says Migration is politically sensitive and divisive.
He further says that GRCS still provides migrants with psycho-social support, considering the many young lives that disappears or die in the cause of such deadly journeys.
He adds, “Thus the need to understand the root causes of migration, rather than addressing the symptoms only,”
He also hailed the positive partnership the GRCS enjoys with the Gambia Government.
