Muslim Aid, The Gambia, one of the relief and development organisations operating in The Gambia as part of its efforts to complement government efforts in disaster management last Sunday donated ten Aqua boxes containing clothing, hygiene equipment for emergency relief operations, cooking utensils, second hand clothes, mats, soap and foodstuffs, among others, to ten flood victims in the Kanifing Municipality.
Addressing the beneficiaries at the handing over ceremony, Ansumana Dibba, the Programme Coordinator for Muslim Aid said Muslim Aid The Gambia is a relief and development organisation that seeks to help the poor and needy when the need arises, especially when it comes to disaster management.
He added that the donation is in response to a request made the government through the Disaster Management Committee under the Office of the Vice-President.
According to Mr. Dibba, disaster is a natural phenomenon that can be caused by God or man. He said giving support to flood victims is part of their mission and vision, noting that his organisation will continue to help both the poor and the vulnerable.
For his part, the Deputy Mayor of the Kanifing Municipality Council, Yusupha Sanyang underscored the importance and commitment the council attaches to disaster management and its preparedness, stating that the council is also aware of its responsibilities to the affected flood victims.
Deputy Mayor Sanyang noted that most of the disasters that occur in communities are man-made disasters that can be prevented if necessary measures were taken. He commended the Muslim Aid for complementing the council and government's efforts in disaster management.
He added that his council is aware of the commitment of donors, while calling on other institutions to emulate Muslim Aid for their humanitarian gesture.
He reiterated his council continuous resolve in helping flood and disaster victims. He revealed that the council has put in place strategies to combat such terrible situations.
Deputy Mayor Sanyang thanked the donors, and other philanthropists for responding to the council's call for urgent intervention for disaster victims.
Musa Mendy, the Chairman of Disaster Management Committee in KMC said the aqua boxes contain very useful items for flood victims, including drugs, utensils, soap, among other valuable items.
According to him, it came as a result of the request made by the government through the Office of the Vice-President.
He said ten families are benefiting from the donation and each family man has a high dependency ratio. He said the same organisation had donated to an Arabic school that was recently engulfed by fire in old Jeshwang.
Mr. Mendy appealed for more support and help to cope with the situation as, according to him, people are suffering. He noted that the donation would go a long way towards helping the victims.
Abdou Badjie spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries.
