ActionAid The Gambia yesterday handed over four vehicles and motorcycles worth four and half Million Dalasi to sub-recipients, which included Catholic Relief Services and Hands on Care and sub-grantees, namely GAMNESS and Catholic Development Office (CaDO) of the Global Fund.
The motorcycles and vehicles, which were handed over at a ceremony held at the ActionAid office in Kanifing, were purchased under the Global Fund Round 8 Grant for HIV/AIDS, which ActionAid The Gambia is implementing for a two-year period.
Addressing the beneficiaries, the Chairperson of the ceremony, Madam Jainaba Nyang of ActionAid office said under the grant, ActionAid will be working with 7 Non-Governmental Organisations, who will serve as sub-recipients of the grant for the next two years with possibilities of a three-year expansion, based on performance.
She stated that the recipients are Catholic Relief Service, Gambia Family Planing Association, Child Fund The Gambia, Santa Yalla Support Society, Hands on Care, Association for Development of Women and Children (ADWAC) and the Gambia Red Cross Society.
Madam Nynag, however, revealed that the total amount for the grant for a two-year period is almost four million Euro, part of which, she said would be disbursed to the sub-recipients. She noted that the overall objective of the Global Fund Round 8 HIV/AIDS project is to halt and reverse the prevalence of HIV infection from 2.8% by 2013, by providing comprehensive prevention, treatment, care and support in The Gambia. According to her, the programme also aims to provide support care and support to orphans and vulnerable children.
For his part, the acting Country Director of ActionAid The Gambia, Kebba Sima said the Global Fund is well aware of this, and that's one of the reasons they had approved the procurement of these items to facilitate the movement of staff and patients to the rights places at the right times.
ActionAid acting boss underscored the importance of the donated items, saying millions of Dalasi were spent on it to support the Gambian people, be it HIV&AIDS positive or negative.
He challenged the beneficiaries to make the best use of the resources by ensuring that qualified and experienced personnel are authorised to manage them, including regular and timely servicing. He expressed hope that these vehicles and motorcycle will go a long way towards facilitating the movement and timely delivery of services and products.
Speaking earlier was the ActionAid's HIV/AIDS Manager, Almamo Barrow, who gave a brief account of the project, saying it started last year when the proposal was approved by Global Fund, which led to project implementation.
Mr. Ahmed Gagga Loum, the Chairman of the Country Co-ordinating Mechanism hailed ActionAid for the important role they play in the development of The Gambia, adding that this will surely help the beneficiaries to tackle the issue of mobility in their work places. He assured them that the vehicles would be put to good use.
