Press
Release
Mandinaba-
12 April, 2020: The Rural Child (RC) is gravely concerned about the welfare of
children in the wake of the National Assembly’s extension of state of public
emergency in the country to forty-five days.
As
an organisation that focus on child welfare, we understand the regulations on
the state of public emergency will include banning of all gatherings of people
more than ten people and suspension of all non-essential activities. These will
potentially affect the income earning of rural parents which could reduce
children access to adequate sustenance and welfare.
Majority
of the parents in rural Gambia sustain their families from daily earnings,
mainly from farming, gardening, petty trading and weekly local markets (Lumos)
among others, the produce and incomes from these ventures did not last longer
at household level.
We
are aware of the dangers of the deadly coronavirus and the need to device
preventive measures to avoid its transmission from infected persons. We are
equally aware that it is the responsibility of the authorities to respond to
the needs and welfare of people, especially child protection. Thus, we believe
that the restrictive measures to prevent the spread of the virus must be
accompanied with concrete socio-economic contingency plans and response
mechanisms to mitigate the impact on vulnerable families and individuals
especially children.
The
Rural Child (RC) therefore call on Government, National Assembly and all
stakeholders to be considerate of the plight of majority poor and vulnerable
families during this emergency period and consider providing basic child
protection services and life-saving relief support to needy families.
We
wish to appreciate the contribution and support of different partners and
volunteers in building community resilience and supporting poor and
disadvantage families and individuals during this difficult period.
Amadou
Jallow
Founder
and coordinator
Tel:
7786848/3660150
email:
theruralchild@gmail.com
