The regional disaster management committee in Upper River Region on 6 November 2010 gave assistance to 38 disaster victims in the region.
The items donated included beds, bleaches, clothes and rice.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony held at the regional governor's bantaba, Alhagie Mamadou S. Jallow, the deputy governor of the region, said disaster is a natural phenomenon that everyone abhors. "Its repercussions are always dangerous," he said.
He noted that it is important that settlement patterns are also put in place in addressing the vulnerability of people to disasters.
He also used the occasion to call on chiefs and alkalos to be careful in allocating lands to people for settlements, while commending the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) for their "quick response to the disaster victims".
For his part, Mawdo Amadou Jallow, the regional disaster management coordinator of URR, said: "It is high time that we sat as citizens to think about strategies to reduce disasters."
According to Mr Jallow, the purpose of the forum was not only to donate to disaster victims but also to capacitise the local authorities on how and what strategies can be used to reduce disaster reduction at community level.
"The Government of The Gambia has spent substantial amount of resources to support disaster affected people," he said.
Chaba Saidy Leigh, UNICEF focal point at the Department of Water Resources, revealed that his department "has been very supportive of disaster victims" through the NDMA.
Mr Saidy Leigh said the government and other development partners are out to ensure they alleviate the plight of disaster affected people.
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