By Foday Moriba Conteh
In commemorating World Refugee Day, the Commissioner of the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA), Abu Bockarie Kokofele, has on Saturday 20th June, 2020 urged all to continue to save lives by providing safe space to people seeking asylum in the country in line with Sierra Leone’s established Refugee Act and other international standards. He further registered their commitment to serve where they are most needed.
The Commissioner said that to marks World Refugee Day, they took a moment to recognize the courage of those who fled the civil war in Liberia over 20 years ago and are currently residing as exempted refugees in their respective settlements in the Southern and Eastern regions of Sierra Leone, stating that the International World Refugee day is an occasion set aside to create awareness among the general public on refugee issues as well as mobilizing political will and resources to address global problems, celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity.
He said that the 20th June is observed every year and set aside to engage stakeholders, Governments and the global communities to get awareness about the overwhelming problems affecting refugees and how they can best tailor their support and responses for refugee persons of concern in the country if they are to live a more dignified life postulating that the day alone is a powerful advocacy tool in the entire refugee framework.
“Each year, World Refugee Day is marked by a variety of events in many countries around the globe including Sierra Leone in support of refugees. These activities are led by or involve the residual caseload of refugees themselves, Government officials, host communities, companies, celebrities, school children and the general public, among others. World Refugee Day is an occasion to build empathy and understanding for the plight of the residual caseload in the country and to recognize their resilience in rebuilding their lives,” he pointed out.
He further disclosed that for this year’s activities; NaCSA is creating awareness raising for the residual caseload to locally integrate; including them into the national programme activities; enjoy free education and free medical healthcare, livelihood support like any other support granted to targeted vulnerable Sierra Leoneans.
“To all residual caseload of refugees in the country; I am continually deeply moved by your stories and inspired by your hope on this World Refugee Day. My staff and I pledge to do all we can to continue to include all locally integrated refugees into the country’s national development programmes; empower them to became self-reliant, respond to UNHCR Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework of the Global Refugee Forum We have also developed better ways to mobilize support through advocacy with Civil Society Organizations and relevant line ministries for mainstreaming locally integrated refugees which is the most feasible durable option,” he assured.
Kokofele pointed out that GOSL recognizes the rights, needs and dreams of the residual caseload of refugees in the country. It was stated that helping to mobilize political will and resources will not only help them cope but to also thrive to sustain their livelihoods in the country.
It was also revealed that while it is important to protect and improve the lives of refugee persons of concern every single day, international days like World Refugee Day help to focus global attention on the plight of those fleeing conflict or persecution.
Kokofele said that the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent anti-racism protests have shown how desperately there is the need to fight for a more inclusive and equal world: a world where no one is left behind.
“Count everyone and contribute if giving a chance to include our refugee persons of concern lives a resilience life,” he stated adding how it has never been clearer that all have a role to play in order to bring about a change where everyone can make a difference highlighting that it is at the heart of the Government of Sierra Leone World Refugee Day campaign.
He stated that they aim to remind the world that everyone, including refugees, can contribute to society and Every Action Counts in the effort to create a more just, inclusive, and equal world.
In solidarity, he said, that they are in this together and together they will find solutions and survive this pandemic as well as acknowledge the resilience of refugee persons of concern and their respective host communities by stating that everyone counts as they can contribute to giving chances to Refugee persons of concern.
In the area of action, he said their teams continue to serve where they are most needed. He appealed for help for UNHCR and NaCSA to continue saving lives by providing safe space to people seeking asylum in the country in line with Sierra Leone established Refugee Act and other international standards.
