Dr Patrick Chang Taiwanese Ambassador to The Gambia, last Thursday Presented 100 bags of 50Kg rice and vegetables to Cassamance refugees through Jammeh Foundation for peace (JFP), at a presentation ceremony held at the Ndemban Women Farmers Camp, Foni Berefet District, Werstern Region.

The vegetables which include, cabbages, pepper, carrot amongst others, is these nine consignment of Taiwanese assiatance to this refugees who fled fighting in the southern region of Cassamance, and are now residing in Fonis.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Ambassador Chang confirmed that this is the ninth in a series of their assistance to Cassamance refugees in The Gambia, adding that since the start of their donation, a total of 1015 bags of rice have already been donated to these people.

“We regularly assist them and according to the Red Cross figures, there are 5015 refugees now in The Gambia, compared to the previous figure of 7500, which is pretty too high” he said. Ambassador Chang however, pointed out that he is glad some of these people have returned back, adding that the current figure is still a large number of people, which needs to be taken care of.

According to him, his embassy is working closely with The Gambia government to try to do some donation and hope the situation in the area would be better as soon as possible so that the refugees can go back.

He commended the farmers at Sapu for the good quality of rice they produced; noting that this donated rice is cultivitated by Gambian farmers and through the assistance of the Taiwanese technical mission at the Sapu station. “I also want to commend JFP and The Gambia Red Cross Society for their good job in the distributions of these items to the refugees, adding that with this kind of cooperation from different parties, the community and society the situation and peace in this region can be improved.

He assured his embassy continued support and close cooperation with JFP and The Gambia Red cross society in the future.

Responding to the gesture, Ansumana Jammeh, Executive Director of JFP, thanked the Taiwanese Embassy on behalf of The Gambia Government for their generous gesture.

According to him, sometime back, they have received generous donation from Taiwan, which were distributed among the refugees residing in Bullock. He added that Taiwan has been very generous to this Foundation and The Gambian people at large especially in the area of scholarships.

He assured that the items would reach the target beneficiaries in the country.

Lamin Gassama, of The Gambia Red Cross Society applauded the JFP for choosing as a partner in the implementation of refugees plight, adding that they will continue to satisfy as they intend they most vulnerable group on the ground.

He thanked The Gambia Government for being so dynamic in responding to refugees in the Country. “An indivudual cannot do it alone, but through partnership it will help to alleviate the situation and reduces their vulnerability,” he said.

He however, called on the authorities to look into the issue and help send some of the children to school as most of them are school going children in their regions, but since they fled, they are left at home which may have a negetive impact in the societies.