By Binta Jaiteh
International Organization for Migration in partnership with European Union and National Referral Mechanism has launched new scheme dubbed protection and reiteration for migrant returnees.
The scheme aims to support government efforts to combating human trafficking in the country. It also seeks to strengthen multidisciplinary, protection services through establishment of standardized guideline for service providers to identify and refer vulnerable migrants and victims of trafficking for assistance and protection.
EU ambassador Attila Lajos EU who spoke at the launching described the initiative as key innovative that represents the ministry of women, children and social welfare.
According to him years ago large number of Gambians including, children, women, men have been leaving the country in search of better opportunities along the Europe route.
“EU and IOM work to facilitate the assistance and humanitarian voluntary return of migrants noting that, National Referral Mechanism aims to improve institutional line collaboration, among civil services and international organization to protect the basic rights and meet the needs of those who are vulnerable,” he said.
He said vulnerable migrants often require significant assistance to recover from violence, exploitation, abuse and violation of their human rights, adding ‘’migrants that are particularly vulnerable include specific health needs, elderly migrants, female, male, single parent, and disabilities, this groups are the cold beneficiaries.’’
Fatou Kinteh, minister of children and social welfare said: “the launching of National Referral Mechanism is an evident to the ministry and government to assist those Gambians that vulnerably return in the Gambia by their difficult state in Europe.”
According to her, such victims of trafficking veneration children and some returnees have an immediate press release such as medical support since they are suffering from trauma mental health as a result their journey through Mauritania.
Also speaking Richard Carl Paschall US Ambassador said that, they should come together to protect and promote human right, adding that they will combine the resources and work because every life is valuable, adding that multiple assistance programs have been funded by united states Government as required in the US law that (US) ambassador and (IOM)has been working to ensure that rights are protected.