The Gambia Red Cross Society, in partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and CCChead of zones office for West and Central Africa, recently held a two days regional meeting for the Sahel group at the Dunes Resort and Casino in Kololi.

In her opening remarks Fatou Mas Jobe, president GCRCS described the event as yet another manifestation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent movements determination to pave the way in alleviating human suffering in the rising global humanitarian challenges today.

According to her the global challenges that the Red Cross encounter today are very complex and thus calls for a collective response as it exceeds the capacity of individual states and humanitarian organisations.

She further asserted the determination of the Sahel member states with partners like the Spanish Red Cross, Icelandic Red Cross and the International Committee of Red Cross and Red Crescent in ensuring that human suffering and vulnerability is considered and handled with urgency and importance in the spirit of "Together for humanity".

"It is this spirit of togetherness that motivated them to come up with concrete plans of action to carry out our humanitarian work with full respect for the fundamental principles in favour of all those in need of protection and assistance" she said.

For his part Alasan Senghor, head of IFRC West and Central Africa Zone highlighted that the Sahel group consists of countries in the sub-region and that the group is involved and determined to combat human suffering and consolidating the work of governments in the sub-region.

He expressed optimism that The Gambia will immensely benefit from the services of the SCRCS  if its network is properly used, not only in disaster relief services but in helping and enhancing the development of the health sector.

Ebrima Jobe, director of communication and information technology who deputised for SoS for Communication and Information Technology assured the SCRCS and its counterparts of the government's and her department's continued support on its' strategic national plans for the sub-region.

He expressed governments satisfaction with the strategic plans and development proposals the Sahel group has for the sub-region. Delegates from the Spanish Red Cross, Icelandic Red Cross, International Committee for Red Cross and Red Crescent and elite of the SCRCS attended the meeting..