Missing Youths' of the Gambia

The following initiative by AMAC is  within the Gambian communities: the launch of the Missing Youths of the Gambia database. This initiative is specifically tailored to address the plight of parents and communities who have lost contact with their loved ones on the perilous journey to Europe via what is often referred to as the 'back way'.

At the heart of this initiative lies the provision of a missing person's database, aiming to gather crucial information from parents or guardians about their children's journey from the Gambia to Europe. But it doesn't stop there. AMAC is committed to providing holistic support, including counseling services for those in need, with a dedicated phone-in service available to parents and the public alike.

The importance of confidentiality cannot be overstated. All information collected will be handled with the utmost care and stored securely in a computerized database, adhering strictly to the Freedom of Information Act of the Gambia. Subsequently, this data will be shared with stakeholders in Europe through Memorandum of Understanding agreements, facilitating collaborative efforts in the search for missing loved ones.

AMAC's approach is holistic, recognizing the silent suffering of members within the Gambian community who are unsure of the fate of their sons or daughters. We firmly believe that everyone has the right to be found or identified, even in death, acknowledging that behind every missing person is a worried parent or guardian. Therefore, our initiative aims to provide a permanent, community-based platform to support those grappling with the uncertainty surrounding their loved ones' disappearance during the perilous journey to Europe.

This initiative underscores AMAC's unwavering commitment to addressing a critical and sensitive issue within our community. We are dedicated to providing much-needed support to families in distress and working collaboratively with stakeholders to facilitate the search for missing individuals.

Thank you.

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