By Sulayman Waan
The Gambia Red Cross Society in collaboration International Committee of Red Cross recently trained its volunteers, branch officers and headquarters staff on preventing and restoring family contacts (RSL).
The Gambia Red Cross Society RFL unit is responsible of restoring contacts between lost/separated families; separations caused as a result of conflict, natural or man-made disasters, migration or other situations of emergencies.
GRCS also facilitate a means to contact loved ones and this help provide crucial comfort to traumatized and vulnerable individuals.
For migration it happens in different forms in West Africa and it is part of history, everyday life, and culture and 84% of migration take place in the region.
However, The Gambia is one of Africa’s smallest countries, with a population of about two million and the country has a long tradition of migration due to its geographic location, which has drawn international trade, wars, and conquests throughout history- IOM Gambia.
Mr Idriss Ahmen, deputy secretary general of Kenyan Red Cross shared with participants Kenyan Red Cross RFL strategies and the services provided.
According to him, RFL services provide more or less the same across all national societies from allocation of satellite calls to tracing and reunification of families.
He added that RFL services are not limited to only migrants who experience violence and disasters but people who move at their own will to look for greener pasture.
“There are a wide range of vulnerable population and their needs varies but we need to look at the neutrality and impartiality nature of the movement and jealously guard our work,” he pointed out.
Alasan Senghore secretary general of Gambia Red Cross described RFL as part protection for bringing families together and is an important thing to do.
According to him, people thinks RFL is offered after emergencies, but that is not the cease and the work starts from preventing separation to restoration, reunification and maintaining the family linkage.
“For Red Cross when it comes to migration, we go back to the root causes of migration, work with the governments and partners to help address the issues. Internationally, we protect migrants on the migratory routes starting from their country of origin, transit and destination through our RFL network”.
He emphasised that Red Cross use its network more effectively and efficiently because that’s how they can restore and establish contact between relatives by tracing and bringing them together.
