Child Protection

ChildFund is responding to the humanitarian crisis in The Gambia’s Foni districts, Western Region, following violent conflict between Senegalese forces and fighters from the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC). This separatist group has been fighting to secede from mainland Senegal since 1982, causing recurrent instability and displacement along the Gambian-Senegalese border.

The Gambia shares a 400-kilometre border with Senegal’s Casamance region. The Foni belt, a 75-kilometre stretch bordering Casamance, is particularly vulnerable. Tens of thousands of people living in this area have been repeatedly displaced due to armed clashes between the MFDC and the Senegalese army.

In one such incident in February 2023, MFDC fighters ambushed Senegalese soldiers near the border, killing three and capturing several others. The attack triggered violent clashes, forcing over 20,000 people, including children and families, to flee their homes

Working with our long-standing local partner, Foni Ding Ding Federation, ChildFund has been active in this region since 1984. Together, we are among the few NGOs with a consistent presence in the area, offering support through sponsorship programs, emergency relief, and child protection services.

In May 2023, ChildFund, in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Agency and the Gambia Red Cross Society, conducted a joint needs assessment and responded swiftly to the emergency. We delivered essential relief items to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and their host families in Bondali, Sangajor, Bwiam, and Sibanor. These included: 300 bags of 50kg rice, 300 gallons of cooking oil, and 300 packets of soap

“When we arrived in Sibanor, I came with my wife and six children. Our village was caught in the crossfire and two people were injured. We had no choice but to flee for safety,” said Malafi Jarju, an IDP. “We thank ChildFund and Foni Ding Ding Federation for taking care of our children and providing food and other necessities.”

Recognizing the critical need for stability in children’s lives, ChildFund also established five child-friendly spaces, enabling over 1,000 displaced children to continue learning in a safe environment. Temporary teaching staff were deployed to ensure that education, play, and psychosocial support continued during the displacement.

“ChildFund’s rapid response to provide food and essential supplies was a lifeline for these families,” said Binta Sey Jadama, Regional Disaster Coordinator for the West Coast Region. “Establishing child-friendly spaces ensured children remained safe and did not fall behind in their education. This is what true commitment to child protection looks like.”

Edi Bah, Federation Manager of Foni Ding Ding Federation, added: “Being one of the few NGOs operating in this volatile region, our partnership with ChildFund allows us to reach thousands of people displaced every year. Together, we are helping children and families re-settle and rebuild.”

One of the host families, Mariama Jarju of Bondali, expressed her gratitude: “This support is timely. It will help us cope with the influx of displaced families. We are sharing the little we have, and this assistance has made a real difference.”

ChildFund remains committed to long-term recovery, protection, and resilience-building in the region, ensuring that even in times of crisis, children continue to thrive.