Dr Patrick Chang, Taiwanese ambassador to The Gambia, has donated the 15th consignment of 100 bags of 50kg rice and crates of vegetables to Casamance refugees seeking refuge in border villages in the Fonis, Western Region.

Thursday’s presentation brought the total number of bags donated to refugees to 1,681, which began since an influx of refugees started arriving along border villages, following an internal factional rift in the MFDC rebel group in the southern Senegalese region of Casamance.

But according to official reports, the situation has apparently begun to subside as a number of displaced refugees have started journeying home for resettlement.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony at Ndenban Village, Ambassador Chang thumbed up the farmers in Sapu and in Ndenban for the produce, while paying tribute to President Jammeh for his inspiring leadership in agriculture.

The chief of Taiwanese diplomacy in The Gambia welcomed the resumption of the Joint-Ministerial Commission between the two neighbouring countries and commended the officials for their commitment towards peace and stability in the region. According to him, the restoration of peace will enable the refugees to return and live a normal life.

He assured the ceremony of his embassy’s continuous support to the refugees.

Abdou Badjie, governor of Western Region, expressed his admiration for the warm relations existing between The Gambia and Taiwan. Governor Badjie described President Jammeh as the torchbearer of The Gambia’s development, saying that the president has laid the foundation that makes the country a save heaven to many.

He confirmed the government’s commitment towards the maintenance of peace in Casamance. “The government has been working relentlessly for peace to return to Casamance,” he said.

Governor Badjie thanked the Taiwanese Embassy for the gesture and also thanked the Jammeh Foundation for Peace (JFP), the Gambia Red Cross Society, and the Immigration for their partnership.

Ansumana Jammeh, executive director of Jammeh Foundation for Peace, reported that the distribution of the last consignment was held in Bwiam, where the beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the assistance.

The JFP executive director expressed concern about those refugees who cross over to The Gambia when they hear the news of the distribution of rice and vegetables. Mr Jammeh maintained that the donation is earmarked purposely for those refugees residing in the country and assured that the humanitarian gesture will reach the right people.

Lamin Gassama, representative of the Gambia Red Cross Society, Baba Musa Sanyang, representative of the chief, and Inspector Ebrima Touray at the Sibanor Immigration post, expressed similar remarks.