It could be recalled that Senegalese president Macky Sall allocated 12 and a half billion CFA to the Diaspora.
Ambassador Sene, who was speaking at a press briefing held at the embassy’s conference hall on Wednesday, added that 100 million CFA was initially allocated to those in The Gambia but on Wednesday they received an additional 25 million CFA.
He explained that as of Tuesday evening seven thousand, three hundred Senegalese had registered online for the assistance, but added that they will begin the payment with the first two thousand online applicants.
He further explained that the first two thousand applicants will be divided into eight groups of two hundred and fifty individuals when being paid to avoid overcrowding at the embassy premises.
The payment he added will be done alphabetically starting with retirees, those in informal sector, those in vulnerable situations, then followed by all others who registered online.
According to him, to receive the assistance all online applicants must produce their national ID Cards, consular cards and wear masks for transparency, accountability and safety purposes respectively.
He highlighted that for transparency purposes the payment selection committee comprises representatives from the embassy, political oppositions and Civil Society Organisations.
He said applicants will be called and given dates and time for pick up of their cash and therefore appealed to those not called not to go to the embassy to ensure the protection of everyone as no one knows who has the virus.
“Fifty thousand CFA is good money but cannot buy us life”, he noted saying the payment of the remaining 5300 applicants will follow when they receive another phase of disbursement from Dakar.
He said they have been informed that people living outside of The Gambia have registered online but added that the committee will identify them.
“We remain grateful to Macky Sall and government for their benevolence, generosity towards Senegalese citizens,” he said.
He also thanked President Barrow and government for their cooperation and hospitality as well as giving them the green light to go ahead with the distribution of the money to beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, the first phase assistance amounting to ten million CFA meant for those on transit as a result of the border closure, those infected by the disease and are receiving medical attention, and families who lost their parents to the disease were each given two hundred and fifty thousand CFA.
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