Sierra Leone Reaffirms Commitment to Refugee Protection and Durable Solutions at UNHCR 76th Executive Committee Meeting...

*Geneva, Switzerland – October 9, 2025.*

Sierra Leone has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to international protection, inclusion, and durable solutions for refugees and other persons of concern, as the country took part in the 76th Session of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Executive Committee (ExCom) in Geneva, Switzerland.

The high-level session, which convenes UN Member States, civil society organizations, and development partners, serves as a global platform to review UNHCR’s performance, adopt the 2026 programme budget, and reinforce shared commitments to refugee protection amid growing global displacement and humanitarian challenges.

At the forefront of Sierra Leone’s delegation was Ambassador Ernest Mbaimba Ndomahina, Commissioner of the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA), who delivered a strong message reaffirming the Government’s resolve to protect and empower refugees, asylum seekers, stateless persons, and internally displaced populations, while promoting sustainable, community-driven solutions in alignment with national development priorities.

*Commissioner Ndomahina’s Statement of Commitment*

In his statement, Ambassador Ndomahina commended the leadership of the UNHCR for its tireless efforts in coordinating global humanitarian responses and underscored Sierra Leone’s deep commitment to advancing the principles of solidarity, responsibility-sharing, and inclusion.

He emphasized that Sierra Leone’s approach to social protection and migration management is guided by the principles of dignity, resilience, and development integration, ensuring that no one is left behind, including displaced and vulnerable populations.

“*Sierra Leone continues to uphold its humanitarian obligations and stands firm in supporting UNHCR’s global agenda for protection and durable solutions. We are building a society that not only provides safety but also opportunity, where every displaced person can rebuild their lives with dignity and hope,” said Ambassador Ernest Mbaimba Ndomahina, Commissioner of NaCSA*.

He further highlighted ongoing national efforts led by NaCSA in collaboration with development and humanitarian partners, aimed at strengthening social protection systems, integrating returnees and refugees into local communities, and fostering resilience through livelihood empowerment and access to basic services.

Ambassador Ndomahina also used the occasion to call for enhanced international cooperation and predictable financing, emphasizing that developing countries, despite limited resources, continue to bear significant responsibility for hosting displaced populations and require sustained support to meet their protection and integration commitments.

*Strategic Representation and Collaboration*

Supporting the Commissioner at the meeting were key members of Sierra Leone’s delegation who played critical roles in advancing the country’s humanitarian and migration policy agenda:

•*Mr. Robert Koroma*, Counsellor at the Sierra Leone Embassy in Switzerland and Permanent Mission to the United Nations, provided diplomatic support and facilitated engagement between the Sierra Leone delegation and UNHCR leadership, ensuring Sierra Leone’s priorities were clearly represented in plenary and bilateral discussions.

•*Mr. Farama J. Bangura*, NaCSA Regional Coordinator and Migration Focal Person, contributed technical insights on Sierra Leone’s operational frameworks for migration management and reintegration, sharing progress on community-based interventions and NaCSA’s durable solutions programming.

•*Mr. Abdourakuf Gnon-Konde*, UNHCR Director for the Regional Bureau of West and Central Africa, commended Sierra Leone’s leadership in maintaining stability and inclusion within the subregion and reaffirmed UNHCR’s commitment to supporting national institutions like NaCSA in their humanitarian and development efforts.

•*Ms. Adama Basse*, Civil Servant at the UNHCR Headquarters in Geneva, provided coordination support during the session, ensuring linkages between Sierra Leone’s delegation and UNHCR’s global operations and facilitating discussions on programmatic alignment for the 2026 budget cycle.

*A Shared Vision for Protection and Progress*

The 76th ExCom session provided an opportunity for Sierra Leone to showcase its growing leadership in humanitarian coordination and social protection delivery, a reflection of its transformation from a post-conflict nation to a proactive contributor in global humanitarian discourse.

Under the leadership of Ambassador Ndomahina, NaCSA continues to align its interventions with the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR), emphasizing resilience, inclusion, and shared responsibility. The Commissioner reiterated Sierra Leone’s readiness to collaborate further with UNHCR and other partners to expand livelihood opportunities, improve data systems for displaced persons, and enhance social protection coverage across all districts.

The Sierra Leone delegation’s active participation in this year’s ExCom reaffirms the country’s firm belief that global protection requires local commitment, a principle deeply embedded in NaCSA’s mission to transform lives and foster inclusive national development.

*About ExCom*

The UNHCR Executive Committee (ExCom) is an annual meeting that brings together Member States, UN agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders to review the agency’s global protection work, guide policy direction, and approve the annual programme budget. The 76th session focused on addressing the growing displacement crisis, reinforcing international cooperation, and adopting the 2026 programme priorities and financial framework.

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