More institutions and individuals have been converging at the State House to donate to disaster victims, following recent downpour of rains that have caused serious damages and losses to lives and properties in the country.
The latest donors were the Jammeh Foundation for Peace, Ageing with a Smile Initiative (ASI), Action- Aid The Gambia and World Mission Agency. They presented cash and valuable materials to the Vice-President Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy as part of their contributions and response to the appeal recently made by the government to support flood victims in the country.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony held at the VP's office, Lamin Nyangado, on behalf of Action Aid, who presented D500,000 to government for the victims, said his organization had been a long time development partner to the government. "We are pleased to always partner with government," he said.
In the same vein, the Executive Director of Jammeh Foundation for Peace, Nancy Njie, presented to the government 1,000 trousers, 1,000 shirts, 1,000 curtains, 1,000 towels, 50 bed sheets, 1,000 shoes and D20,000 personally donated by Mr Ardy Sarge, a board member of the foundation.
Ageing With a Smile Initiative coordinator Balla Musa Joof, on behalf of his organization, donated also D2,500.
Speaking earlier, Mr Joof said Ageing With a Smile Initiative (ASI) is a new and innovative drive launched in The Gambia in January this year to improve the health and general welfare of the elderly in the country.
He commended the government and the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) for the swift response to the disaster-assuage appeal as well as expressed ASI's sympathy with the affected families.
He also appealed to family and community members, as well as the NDMA, to pay particular attention to the elderly because of their vulnerability, especially during emergencies.
Mr Joof also used the occasion to handover ASI’s annual report to Vice-President Isatou Njie-Saidy.
On behalf of World Mission Agency, Pastor Sunday donated 10 bags of rice, 3 gallons of oil, shoes and second-hand clothing to the victims.
Receiving the donations, Vice-President Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy thanked the donors for the donations, describing it a "worthwhile" gesture. She also advised people to always avoid building on waterways.
More resources are needed to help disaster victims, she said, calling on donors to also assist in construction and rebuilding of damaged houses and properties.
