CRR Red Cross, others embark on cleansing exercise

Members of the security forces, local authorities and youth groups on 4 June 2011 embarked on a massive cleansing exercise in the streets of Bansang in Upper Fulladu West, CRR south.

As part of the activity some of the groups were concentrating on emptying the drainage system thanks to the support of Janjanbureh Area Council for providing the fuel, according to officials.

Speaking in an interview with The Point, CRR Regional Red Cross Branch Officer, Pa Musa Kejira underscored the significance of the exercise.

Cleanliness is next to godliness, he says, adding that a healthy mind is found in a healthy body. "This exercise was meant to reduce disaster vulnerabilities in the area as we are approaching the rainy season," he said. "Red Cross volunteers are here to give support to alleviate suffering in serving people of the region."

While commending those who in one way or the other supported the Red Cross in the cleansing exercise, Mr Kejira noted that Red Cross volunteers have been very supportive in rendering humanitarian services to the communities, particularly when people are in difficult situation.

For his part, Kebba Kora, alkalo of Bansang town, revealed that the exercise is meant to promote the health of the people.

"Cleaning potential areas for mosquito breeding would definitely reduce the spread of malaria in the area," he said.

He also commended members of the Red Cross for their initiative, while urging other people to emulate them and calling on shop keepers and business operators in the area to improvise temporal dustbins to collect waste for onward dumping at allocated sites.

Alieu Baldeh, a Red Cross school link representative, thanked his colleagues for coming in their large numbers to partake in the cleansing exercise to ensure the town is kept clean and tidy.

Nyoka Suwareh, the lady councillor of Bansang, and Amie Ceesay, the ward councillor of Bansang, both expressed similar sentiments to those of the previous speakers and reiterated their readiness to supporting such initiatives.