Twenty community facilitators in West Coast Region have recently concluded a three-day induction training on irregular migration held in Brikama. The training was organised by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with National Youth Council (NYC) and The Gambia Government.
Funded by the European Union, IOM officials say the training was meant to equip local facilitators as volunteers from the 10 selected communities within the region to sensitise them on the possible dangers related irregular migration journeys.
Balla Musa Conateh, an instructor from the IOM office said irregular migration trend is a global phenomenon which needs to be solved to avoid further negative impact on communities.
He said a good number of young people from Sub-Saharan Africa embark on irregular migration routes in attempt to reach Europe and other countries with some of them ending up in serious problems.
He reminded the participants of their duties and responsibilities in sensitising their various communities on the dangers associated with irregular migration which, he said has already created negative impact on the productive base of the national economy. “It should now be our duty and responsibility as participants to sensitise our people and make them aware of the possible dangers attached to irregular migration.
Lamin Singhateh from the Migration Information Center (MIC) in Brikama thanked the participants for their tireless efforts in actively participating in the training, saying it will give them the opportunity to understand the negative issues related to irregular migration.
