ECOWAS, Senegal and UNHCR Launch Joint Humanitarian Initiative to Support Refugees

By: Michael Mike

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in collaboration with the Government of Senegal and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), has officially launched a cooperation and humanitarian assistance initiative aimed at improving protection, livelihoods and social inclusion for refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons in Senegal.

The launch ceremony, held in Dakar, brought together senior Senegalese government officials, ECOWAS commissioners, UNHCR representatives, development partners and leaders of refugee communities. The initiative marks a major implementation milestone of a project conceived in 2023, at a time when global humanitarian funding is declining and refugee assistance worldwide is under severe strain.

Delivering remarks on behalf of the ECOWAS Commission, officials described the programme as a demonstration of regional solidarity and a reaffirmation of ECOWAS’ commitment to human dignity. They noted that West Africa continues to face complex challenges including conflict, climate change, disasters and economic instability, all of which contribute to forced displacement and increased pressure on host communities.

The ECOWAS-supported intervention, valued at over 500,000 dollars, is designed to provide life-saving assistance while promoting sustainable livelihoods, social cohesion and peaceful coexistence between displaced populations and host communities. According to ECOWAS, the initiative goes beyond emergency relief by investing in long-term stability, national security and development.

Speaking on behalf of refugees and asylum seekers, the Chair of the Committee of Representatives of Refugees in Senegal, Mr. Lambert Koliti, welcomed the agreement as a vital source of hope for displaced families. He said the programme will expand access to education, vocational training, healthcare and social support, enabling refugees to rebuild their lives with dignity and contribute positively to their host communities.

Refugee leaders appealed to ECOWAS to support initiatives led by refugees and to integrate displaced persons into regional training, employment and entrepreneurship programmes. They also called on the Senegalese government to strengthen measures that promote durable solutions, including access to livelihoods and essential services.

In a statement delivered on behalf of UNHCR, the agency commended ECOWAS and Senegal for the strength of the tripartite partnership, describing it as a practical example of responsibility sharing in line with the Global Compact on Refugees. UNHCR emphasized that responses to forced displacement require collective, coordinated and predictable action rather than isolated national efforts.

Senegal was praised for its commitment to refugee protection, including recent legislative reforms that modernize the national asylum system and improve access to rights for refugees and stateless persons. Officials noted that these reforms contribute to broader ECOWAS efforts toward harmonized asylum governance across the region.

Despite ongoing institutional restructuring and funding constraints within the humanitarian sector, speakers expressed confidence that the cooperation framework would help pool resources, strengthen national capacities and deliver targeted support to the most vulnerable populations.

The launch concluded with renewed calls for sustained collaboration among ECOWAS, Senegal, UNHCR, development partners and refugee communities to ensure that no one is left behind, while promoting peace, resilience and regional solidarity across West Africa.

ECOWAS, Senegal and UNHCR Launch Joint Humanitarian Initiative to Support Refugees