Accra: As the world marks World Refugee Day, World Vision Ghana (WVG), a Christian humanitarian organization, is advocating greater empathy for all refugee children, urging society to recognize their rights to learn, play, and thrive in safety.
According to Ghana News Agency, WVG is appealing for solidarity with refugees by promoting their welfare and creating resilient environments through access to healthcare, protection, and economic opportunities that enable them to rebuild their lives with dignity. Mr. Samuel Gmalu, the Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs and Response Manager at WVG, made this appeal at the Zini community in the Sissala West District during the commemoration of this year's World Refugee Day (WRD), themed 'Solidarity with Refugees.'
As part of the commemoration, WVG, with support from Unilever Ghana, facilitated hygiene education and distributed toothbrushes and toothpaste to children in the Zini Refugee Camp to promote oral hygiene. The NGO also planned activities including a tree planting exercise at the camp.
Mr. Gmalu emphasized that this year's theme is a call to action to stand with refugees, unite communities, and welcome refugees with empathy. He highlighted that there are currently 42.7 million refugees globally under the UN Refugee Agency's (UNHCR) mandate, as well as 6.9 million asylum seekers and 68.3 million internally displaced individuals.
Information from the UNHCR shows that, as of December 2024, Ghana hosts around 17,300 refugees and asylum-seekers from countries like Burkina Faso, Togo, Liberia, and Sudan. Mr. Rexford Yamdorg Bugre, the Northern Sector Operations Manager of WVG, noted that as a child-focused organization, WVG prioritizes children's health, and the donation of toothbrushes forms part of broader efforts to enhance personal hygiene among refugee children.
Mr. Joseph Aniah, the Upper West Regional Coordinator of the Ghana Refugee Board, emphasized that refugee protection should extend beyond safety to include dignity, purpose, and opportunities. He advocated for economic empowerment through vocational training, financial inclusion, and skills development, enabling refugees to contribute to their host communities.
Mr. Aniah praised WVG and its partners for their interventions at the Zini Refugee Camp, including youth training programs, farming initiatives, and water access. He also thanked the Zini community for their generosity towards refugees and urged them to promote community integration and access to services like education.
In a speech read on his behalf, Kuoro Abu Diyaka Sukabe Ninia, the Paramount Chief of the Zini Traditional Area, remarked that the Zini refugee camp reflects the community's commitment to supporting those fleeing persecution to redefine their lives with dignity. Hygiene challenges have been noted for the over 800 refugees at the camp, prompting WVG's intervention.
World Vision Ghana has provided Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities at the camp, which are expected to significantly improve living conditions for the refugees.
