The support is part of efforts by the association to ensure restoration of flora and fauna to enhance food production and sustainable development.
AFES programme officer Ba Ansu Fofana applauded Global Environment Facility for their outstanding support to the association, and in empowering communities to take the lead on tree planting and protection.
He said planting of trees would contribute to restoration and regeneration of trees to improve soil cover and of habitats to boost posterity and income.
He thanked the communities for their support and cooperation to the restoration and protection of flora and fauna in order to enhance food production and productivity.
Imam Oustass Omar Dibba of Darsilami noted that Islam values planting of trees as fundamental to human survival and food self-sufficiency.
He lauded the efforts of the association in combating acts of desertification.
The communities of Jokadou Darsilami, Karantaba and Bakang did commend AFES for complementing government development efforts in the restoration and preservation of forest cover.
The commendations were made recently at a tree planting exercise by Village Development Chairpersons Kaka Fofana and Lamin Kumba Jarju of Darsilami and Bakang.
Similar sentiments were expressed also by the Secretary of Karantaba VDC Mamadi Trawally.
Youth Leader Lang Jadama and women leader of Darsilami Yankeh Fofana applauded the initiative of the association in protecting and restoring the flora and fauna in the environment.
The communities’ representatives noted that planting of trees and mangroves is a demonstration by AFES to wanting to work with the communities in addressing the effects of climate change.
For his part, Ba Ansu Fofana, AFES programme officer, thanked the communities for their steadfastness and support in mitigating the effects of climate change and deforestation.
He lauded the support of Global Environment Facility (GEF) for attaching great importance to building the capacities of community-based organizations in empowering communities to spearhead the campaign on environmental protection.
Fofana reiterates that trees contribute to advancement of human development, and calls on the community to be vigilant in protecting the environment.
He used the occasion to emphasise the call on people to change their attitude towards the environment.
He also called on the youth to be vigilant in protecting the planted saplings to ensure they are not destroyed by animals and to always replace dead ones.
AFES treasurer Ansumana Manneh, in his remarks, said they “are committed to transparency and accountability of public funds”.
He called on development partners to support AFES in the drive of food self-sufficiency.
Manneh also hailed the youth in Darsilami, Karantaba and Bakang for their solidarity and support in planting the trees, saying the act demonstrates their commitment to the restoration of the lost environment.
VDC chairperson Lamin Kumba Jarju and Bakang youth leader Ansumana Jarju expressed gratitude to AFES and GEF for the support in the restoration and regeneration of forest species.
The planted trees included gmalina, mahogany, ornage, moringa and cashew.