The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has held a three-day sensitisation for young people in Central River Region on irregular migration.
The project was funded by UK aid.
It was aimed to raise youth awareness on the consequences of irregular migration, as young people were urged to desist from embarking on the perilous journey to Europe.
Meanwhile, it was also aimed to equipping the young people with information to acquire skills.
Jerreh Manneh, IOM project assistant for UK Aid said such program will enable youth with better means to improving their living standards.
“This forum is of paramount for the youth because it enables them to understand the real consequences attarches on the irregular migration particularly through the desert and the Mediterranean Sea,” he said.
He added: “We also deem it necessary that whenever we sensitised the youth on the horrible route to Europe they will try to get a better option to develop their living condition rather than embarking on the terrible journey.”
Mr. Manneh further said as migration is a fundamental human rights which everyone is entitled to, but urged youth to avoid embarking on migration, describing it as ‘dangerous’.
He said: “The irregular migrtation has caused lots of challenges for us because the youth constituted the higher population in the country; so if they are migrating it could affect our national development. Many encountered sexual exploitation, hard labour and psychological trauma in this terrible route.”
Omar Jammeh, regional youth chair called on youth to acquire skills to create employment for themselves.
He also commended IOM for enlightening young people on the risk of irregular migration, descrbing ‘backway’ to Europe illegal.
Saikou Jobe, regional youth and sport coordinator challenge youth of the region to venture into business to reinforce their financial status.
Author: Sulayman Waan