A surge in scabies cases among children in institutional care settings, particularly at Daara Madina Suwaneh, has prompted UNICEF to issue an urgent call for action to safeguard children across The Gambia. The outbreak, which has affected at least 57 children as of May 27, underscores the dire conditions in some care facilities and the need for systemic reform to protect the nation’s most vulnerable.
The Ministry of Health reported that the scabies outbreak, a highly contagious skin condition, is fueled by overcrowded and unhygienic living environments, compounded by limited access to clean water, malnutrition, and inadequate medical care. These conditions, prevalent in some Qur’anic schools (Majalis) and other care institutions, have created a breeding ground for the disease, putting children at significant health risk.
UNICEF has expressed deep concern over the situation, emphasizing that it violates the rights of children as outlined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, and The Gambia’s child protection frameworks. The organization highlighted that this outbreak, combined with past incidents like the 2021 Bilal boarding school fire, exposes a critical lack of oversight and regulation in institutional care settings.
In response, UNICEF has urged the Government of The Gambia and its partners to take immediate, coordinated action. Key recommendations include conducting nationwide inspections of all childcare institutions to enforce compliance with national minimum standards for care and child safeguarding. UNICEF also advocates for increased investment in family- and community-based care alternatives to prevent separation and support reintegration. Additionally, the organization calls for improved access to essential services, including food, clean water, sanitation, healthcare, education, and skills development, for children in care, alongside the establishment of independent, child-friendly complaint mechanisms.
“Protecting children is not the responsibility of a single organization—it requires collective action,” said Nafisa Binte Shafique, UNICEF Representative in The Gambia. “We must act now to ensure no child is left in unsafe or unregulated conditions. Children must grow up safe, healthy, and protected in environments where their rights are fully respected.”
The call to action emphasizes the need for multi-sectoral collaboration involving social welfare, child protection, education, health, nutrition, water and sanitation (WASH), security sectors, and religious leaders, communities, and families. UNICEF has pledged its support to establish a government-led, multi-sectoral coordination mechanism to drive rights-based interventions and promote sustainable alternatives to institutional care.
The Committee on the Rights of the Child’s Concluding Observations for The Gambia, released in February 2025, further reinforces these recommendations, urging the rehabilitation and social reintegration of children in care. UNICEF’s appeal aligns with the Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children (2009), prioritizing family-based care and robust oversight to ensure the safety of children.
As The Gambia grapples with this public health crisis, UNICEF’s message is clear: immediate, collective action is essential to protect the nation’s children and prevent further harm. The organization stands ready to help build a safer, healthier future for every child in The Gambia.
