Refugees in Largo and Tobanda camps, in Kenema district, joined their counterparts worldwide to celebrate this year’s World Environment Day.
The celebration, which took place on Tuesday, was organized by NaCSA Camp Management in collaboration with UNHCR, Garman Agro Action and other operational partners in the various camps.
At the Largo refugee camp the UNHCR field officer, Mohamed Mansaray, said “caring for one’s environment is not an option but a priority for both humanitarian and development agencies”.
He said the UNHCR’s primary concern came from the need to protect the welfare of refugees and conflict related internally displaced people.
Mr Mansaray said the theme for this year’s World Environment Day celebration drew attention to the effects of climate change in polan eco-systems, affecting local communities and the ensuring consequences around the world.
He advised the refugee audience to take note, act, help and educate others and reflect on the importance of the environment in all aspects.
The NaCSA camp supervisor, Mohamed Toure, stressed on environment management and advised the refugees not to log the trees in their environment as the rural population depended on the natural resources in the forests.
Similar sentiments were expressed by UNHCR, camp management staff and other operational and implementing partners at the Tobanda Refugee Camp.
Highlights of the programme were tree planting in the respective camps and host communities, drama performances by refugee drama groups and football matches in the respective camps.
The ceremonies were chaired by the GAA field supervisor, Largo refugee camp, John Kobba, while Madam Koroma of NMJD chaired the programme at the Tobanda Camp.
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